DNA cytosine methylation that typically refers to 5-methylcytosine (5mC) is established through DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and is a crucial epigenetic marker. In addition to 5mC, variants of DNA methylation have recently been discovered in mammals, including 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC) and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC). Although they are similar in structure to the 5mC, they are much less abundant. In mammals, the Ten-Eleven Translocation (TET) family protein of methylcytosine dioxygenases oxidizes 5mC to 5hmC, which is a relative stable modification. When cells divide, 5mC is passively diluted by DNA replication, but symmetric methylation is restored by the maintenance methyltransferase complex DNMT1/UHRF1. The 5hmC is also passively diluted as a function of cell division, which leads to DNA demethylation. DNA demethylation can also occur by further oxidation of 5hmC to 5fC and 5caC via TET proteins. Both 5fC and 5caC can be removed by thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG), resulting in replacement of unmodified cytosine by base excision repair. It is widely believed that these modifications represent a pathway for demethylation of active DNA, thereby reshaping the methylated DNA landscape established by DNMTs.

Moreover, these DNA methylation variants, particularly the 5hmC, have been shown to be not only intermediates in the demethylation process of the 5mC, but also an important epigenetic marker enriched in genomes, affecting the unique epigenetic characteristics of stem cells and cancer cell biology. The TET protein has also been shown to be part of the crosstalk mechanism between DNA and histone modification, involved in gene expression regulation, thus regulating pluripotency of stem cells, cell development, aging and carcinogenesis. DNA methylation analysis has entered an exciting new field, waiting for countless innovate discoveries!

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of DNA methylation variants (Tsagaratou A.; et al. 2017)

Equipped with the state-of-art technology platforms, which include platforms of next-generation sequencing, microarray hybridization, immunoprecipitation, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and so on, Creative BioMart is confident in providing comprehensive and professional solutions of DNA methylation variants analysis with great accuracy and high-throughput.

DNA Methylation Variants Analysis Services at Creative BioMart

DNA Hydroxymethylation Analysis Service

Creative BioMart offers DNA hydroxymethylation analysis services, including oxidative bisulfite sequencing, Tet-assisted bisulfite sequencing, hMeDIP-based service, DNA hydroxymethylation microarray service, as well as global DNA 5hmC quantification.

Other DNA Methylation Variants Analysis Service

Genome-wide profiling of 5fC/5caC and global DNA 5fC/5caC quantification services are provided by Creative BioMart with high quality data and fast turnaround time. Creative BioMart offers a series of services which can provide information on DNA 5fC/5caC at different levels.

As a leading service provider in epigenetics, Creative BioMart shows high proficiency in providing customers with the most comprehensive and one-stop DNA methylation variants analysis services at a competitive price. The sophisticated equipment, advanced technologies and professional experts coordinate with each other, allowing our services to be more defined and flexible, thus satisfying your different requirements.

Moreover, we can provide a customized combination of services for comprehensive and in-depth DNA methylation variants analysis. We will work closely with you to design suitable solutions to address your scientific questions, and will aid you with data interpretation when needed to speed up your research. Creative BioMart is the first choice of DNA methylation variants analysis services. Welcome to contact us for quotations and more detailed information.

Reference
1. Tsagaratou A.; et al. TET Methylcytosine Oxidases in T Cell and B Cell Development and Function. Frontiers in Immunology. 2017, 8(2013).