Sequencing of methylase-accessible regions in integral circular extrachromosomal DNA reveals differences in chromatin structure

Epigenetics Chromatin. 2021 Aug 23;14(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s13072-021-00416-5.

Abstract

Background: Although extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) has been intensively studied for several decades, the mechanisms underlying its tumorigenic effects have been revealed only recently. In most conventional sequencing studies, the high-throughput short-read sequencing largely ignores the epigenetic status of most ecDNA regions except for the junctional areas.

Methods: Here, we developed a method of sequencing enzyme-accessible chromatin in circular DNA (CCDA-seq) based on the use of methylase to label open chromatin without fragmentation and exonuclease to enrich ecDNA sequencing depth, followed by long-read nanopore sequencing.

Results: Using CCDA-seq, we observed significantly different patterns in nucleosome/regulator binding to ecDNA at a single-molecule resolution.

Conclusions: These results deepen the understanding of ecDNA regulatory mechanisms.

Keywords: Chromatin accessibility; Methylation; Methyltransferase; ecDNA; m6A.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatin* / genetics
  • DNA / genetics
  • Epigenomics
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing*
  • Methyltransferases

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • DNA
  • Methyltransferases