METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE DEGREE OF METHYLATION OF DEFINED CYTOSINES IN GENOMIC DNA IN THE SEQUENCE CONTEXT 5'-CPG-3'

摘要

The invention relates to a method for detecting the degree of methylation of a defined cytosine in the sequence context 5'-CpG-3' of a genomic DNA sample. The first stage involves chemically treating the genomic DNA in such a way that the cytosine bases, but not the 5-methylcytosine bases, are converted into uracil. Parts of the genomic DNA containing the defined cytosine are then amplified. The amplified parts are given a detectable mark and the extent of the hybridisation of the amplified parts on the two classes of oligonucleotides is then determined by detecting the mark of the amplified parts. The degree of methylation of the defined cytosine in the genomic DNA sample can be deduced on the basis of the relationship between the marks detected on the two classes of oligonucleotides following the hybridisation.