Sensitive Method for Measuring Telomere Lengths by Quantifying Telomeric DNA Content of Whole Cells
Year: 1998
Type: article
Abstract: Recently, a new method for measuring telomere lengths based on telomere DNA content was developed. The method, which is based on the ratio of telomere to centromere DNA content (TC ratio), is highly sensitive, allowing the analysis of small quantities of DNA. However, the method required the isolation of DNA, which can be difficult or impossible for small numbers of cells. Here, we suggest an improvement of this method that can directly estimate telomere lengths from whole cells. We optimized the method for whole cells and purified DNA and found that accurate TC ratios can be obtained from as little as 9 ng of DNA or 800 whole cells. There was no statistically significant difference between the ratios obtained with purified DNA or with whole cells, indicating that the isolation of DNA is not necessary for small samples.
Source: BioTechniques
DOI: 10.2144/98256cr02
Authors: David Norwood, Dimiter S. Dimitrov
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,415
OpenAlex ID: W1494824125