Laboratory methods to decipher epigenetic signatures: a comparative review

Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters

Pardis Saeedi¹  Sadegh Azimzadeh Jamalkandi²  Mohammad Reza Alivand³  Ali Ahmadi⁴  Raheleh Halabian⁴ 

[1] Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Mollasadra Ave., 14359-16471, Tehran, Iran;Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran;Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;

关键词: Epigenetics;    DNA methylation;    Histone modifications;    Techniques;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s11658-021-00290-9

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Epigenetics refers to nucleotide sequence-independent events, and heritable changes, including DNA methylation and histone modification (as the two main processes), contributing to the phenotypic features of the cell. Both genetics and epigenetics contribute to determining the outcome of regulatory gene expression systems. Indeed, the flexibility of epigenetic effects and stability of genetic coding lead to gene regulation complexity in response signals. Since some epigenetic changes are significant in abnormalities such as cancers and neurodegenerative diseases, the initial changes, dynamic and reversible properties, and diagnostic potential of epigenomic phenomena are subject to epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) for therapeutic aims. Based on recent studies, methodological developments are necessary to improve epigenetic research. As a result, several methods have been developed to explore epigenetic alterations at low, medium, and high scales, focusing on DNA methylation and histone modification detection. In this research field, bisulfite-, enzyme sensitivity- and antibody specificity-based techniques are used for DNA methylation, whereas histone modifications are gained based on antibody recognition. This review provides a mechanism-based understanding and comparative overview of the most common techniques for detecting the status of epigenetic effects, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, for applicable approaches from low- to high-throughput scales.

【 授权许可】

CC BY