Large-Scale Targeted DNA Methylation Analysis Using Bisulfite Padlock Probes

Bisulfite padlock probes (BSPP) are a method for the targeted quantification of DNA methylation in mammalian genomes. They can simultaneously characterize the level of methylcytosine modification in a large number of targeted regions at single-base resolution. A major advantage of BSPP is that it allows the flexible capture of an arbitrary subset of genomic regions (hundreds to hundreds of thousands of genomic loci) in single-tube reactions. Large number of samples can be processed efficiently and converted into multiplexed sequencing libraries with only three enzymatic steps, without the conventional library preparation procedures. BSPP are applicable to clinical studies, screening cell lines, and for quantifying low abundance regions using deep sequencing.