Increased Sensitivity in Whole-Genome Bisulfite Sequencing (Wgbs): A Novel “Post-bisulfite Conversion” Library Construction Method from Sub-nanogram DNA Inputs
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Genome-wide analysis of 5-methylcytosines is possible with whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), where unmethylated cytosine residues are converted to uracil. However, a major challenge in WGBS is the degradation of DNA that occurs during bisulfite conversion under conditions required for complete conversion. Typically, ∼90% of input DNA is degraded and thus, is especially problematic with limited starting amounts of DNA. Additionally, regions that are rich in unmethylated cytosines are more sensitive to strand breaks. As a consequence, a majority of DNA fragments contained in di-tagged NGS DNA libraries treated with bisulfite “post-library construction” can be rendered inactive due to strand breaks in the DNA sequence flanked by the adapter sequences. These mono-tagged templates are then excluded during library enrichment resulting in incomplete coverage and bias when performing whole genome bisulfite sequencing. Here, we describe a novel “post-bisulfite conversion” library construction method for preparing NGS libraries from genomic DNA prior to the addition of one or both adapters. This “post-bisulfite conversion” library construction method uses the resulting untagged or mono-tagged single-stranded DNA as template for the subsequent addition of adapter sequences required for NGS. Thus, single-stranded DNA fragments independent of size and position of strand breaks remain as viable templates for library construction, eliminating the loss of fragments and the selection bias associated with a “post-library construction” bisulfite conversion strategy. This novel “post-bisulfite conversion” library construction method exhibits high diversity, increased efficiency and sensitivity (500 picograms human genomic DNA input), and improved coverage required for WGBS.
Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W125416786