Detecting cytosine methylation in genomic DNA samples in which all unmethylated cytosine bases are converted to uracil and the 5-methylcytosine bases remain unchanged

摘要

Described is a method for detecting cytosine methylation in DNA samples. The method comprises the following steps: a genomic DNA sample containing DNA to be examined and background DNA is chemically treated in such a way that all non-methylated cytosine bases are converted into uracil, the 5-methylcytosine bases remaining unchanged; the chemically treated DNA samples are amplified using at least two primer oligonucleotides and one polymerase, the DNA to be examined being preferred as a template as opposed to the background DNA; the amplificates are analysed; and the methylation status in the DNA to be examined is inferred from the presence of an amplificate and/or from the analysis of further positions.