Epigenetics - DNA Methylation - Technology Spotlight | Zymo Research

Technology Spotlight EPIGENETICS
Epigenetic mechanisms are inheritable factors that regulate genetic expression without changing DNA sequence. These factors are manifest as DNA methylation, histone modification, and small regulatory RNAs. In recent years the field of epigenetics has grown into one of the most exciting and dynamic fields of biological research, and Zymo Research has grown with it, branding ourselves The Epigenetics Company™.
DNA Methylation Bisulfite Conversion DNA methylation studies have dominated the epigenetics field, and Zymo Research is an industry leader in providing DNA methylation research products. The EZ DNA Methylation™ family of bisulfite treatment (conversion) kits provides complete C to U conversion in DNA for rapid and precise methylation detection by a host of downstream procedures. Many downstream applications involve PCR, quantitative real time PCR, or high resolution melt (HRM) analysis. Also, Zymo Research has developed the unique hot start ZymoTaq™ DNA polymerase, which is optimized for difficult-to-amplify templates such as bisulfite-converted DNA. (Click to see Bisulfite Conversion Application Guide)
EZ DNA Methylation™ Family Flow Chart Click to Enlarge Image
DNA Methylation Standards Zymo Research offers DNA standards for use in assessing DNA methylation status. The methylated and non-methylated DNA standards provide the epigenetics research scientist samples of defined methylation signatures with uniform, predictable bisulfite conversion results. These controls are compatible with the EZ DNA Methylation™ product line and any other commercially available or “homebrew” bisulfite conversion procedures. Also, they can be used for the quantitation of DNA methylation.
Antibodies & Immunoprecipitation Many researchers take advantage of immunoprecipitation to study DNA methylation. Zymo Research offers a specific Anti-5-Methylcytosine Monoclonal Antibody available individually or as part of a Methylated-DNA IP Kit. Also, the ChIP DNA Clean & Concentrator™ provides a two-minute method for purification of high quality DNA from any step in a standard ChIP procedure regardless of the antibody(ies) used.
Methyltransferases Two highly efficient DNA methyltransferases are ideal for in vitro DNA methylation. The CpG Methylase (M.SssI) methylates cytosine bases in the dinucleotide context 5’…CpG…3’, and the GpC Methylase (M.CviPI) methylates cytosine bases in the dinucleotide context 5’…GpC…3’. Both enzymes have been specifically engineered to ensure rapid, complete, and reproducible methylation of DNA for subsequent analysis.
Nucleosomal DNA Nucleosome positioning in promoters is a key gene regulatory mechanism. With the EZ Nucleosomal DNA Prep Kit, yeast or mammalian nucleosomal associated DNA can be purified in less than 30 minutes. The EZ Nucleosomal DNA Prep Kit comes with micrococcal nuclease, optimized buffers, and a streamlined procedure to obtain highly pure nucleosome associated DNA.
ChIP DNA Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is an established and useful technique for characterizing cellular protein/DNA associations including those specific for genomic loci having undergone histone modification. Consequently, the purity of ChIP DNA is essential for successful downstream analyses (e.g., PCR, Southern blotting) and accurate data interpretation. The ChIP DNA Clean & Concentrator™ from Zymo Research has been designed for quick (2-minute) recovery of ultra-pure DNA from any chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, cell lysate, Proteinase K-digested sample, PCR mixture, or other enzymatic reaction.
Small RNA (miRNA) Purification & Analysis Several aspects of epigenetics are strongly linked to non-coding RNAs, especially small RNAs that can direct cytosine methylation and histone modifications that are implicated in gene expression regulation in complex organisms. The ZR RNA MicroPrep™ and ZR RNA MiniPrep™ provide quick methods for the isolation of high quality total RNA from small amounts of cells and tissue. Both kits isolate large and small RNAs that can include those non-coding regulatory species that affect gene expression. For high resolution extraction and purification of small RNAs (e.g., miRNA) from polyacrylamide gel slices, the ZR small-RNA™ PAGE Recovery Kit is available.