Sequence-specific detection of methylation in biomolecules

US8129106B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Föderung der Wissenschaften e.V. · US

Inventors

• Elmar Weinhold · Aachen, DE
• Thomas Meier · Cherbourg, FR
• Hartmut Düfel · Schlehdorf, DE
• Christine Markert-Hahn · Penzberg, DE
• Rainer Schmuck · Benediktbeuern, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 14, 2005
• Grant date: Mar 6, 2012
• Expiry date: Aug 13, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Q1/6827
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method for detecting sequence specific methylation in a biomolecule, comprising: (a) contacting the biomolecule with an S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferase in the presence of a detectable cofactor of said methyltransferase; and (b) detecting whether the recognition sequence of said methyltransferase has been modified with the cofactor or a derivative thereof, wherein modification of the recognition sequence of said methyltransferase is indicative of an absence of methylation at said recognition sequence. Also disclosed is a cofactor specific for S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferases, wherein said cofactor is an N-adenosylaziridine derivative with a reporter group attached to the 6 or 7 position of the adenine ring or attached to the aziridine ring. A complex of the cofactor and a methyltransferase a composition comprising the cofactor or the complex and the use of the cofactor or the complex for detecting sequence-specific methylation in DNA molecules are also disclosed.