A pooling-based approach to mapping genetic variants associated with DNA methylation.

ABSTRACT: DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that plays a key role in gene regulation. Previous studies have investigated its genetic basis by mapping genetic variants that are associated with DNA methylation at specific sites, but these have been limited to microarrays that cover <2% of the genome and cannot account for allele-specific methylation (ASM). Other studies have performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing on a few individuals, but these lack statistical power to identify variants associated with DNA methylation. We present a novel approach in which bisulfite-treated DNA from many individuals is sequenced together in a single pool, resulting in a truly genome-wide map of DNA methylation. Compared to methods that do not account for ASM, our approach increases statistical power t

SUBMITTER: Kaplow IM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4448686 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature