Methylation-Specific PCR

Abstract

Defining DNA methylation patterns in the genome has become essential for understanding diverse biological processes including the regulation of gene expression, imprinted genes, and X chromosome inactivation and how these patterns are deregulated in human diseases. Methylation-specific (MS)-PCR is a useful tool for qualitative DNA methylation analysis with multiple advantages, including ease of design and execution, sensitivity in the ability to detect small quantities of methylated DNA, and the ability to rapidly screen a large number of samples without the need for purchase of expensive laboratory equipment. This assay requires modification of the genomic DNA by sodium bisulfite and two independent primer sets for PCR amplification, one pair designed to recognize the methylated and the other pair the unmethylated versions of the bisulfite-modified sequence. The amplicons are visualized using ethidium bromide staining following agarose gel electrophoresis. Amplicons of the expected size produced from either primer pair are indicative of the presence of DNA in the original sample with the respective methylation status.