Detection of 5-methylcytosine in DNA by photo-functionalized oligodeoxynucleotides possessing 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone chromophore.

ABSTRACT

We developed a method for detection of 5-methylcytosine in DNA by photosensitized oxidation, using photo-functionalized oligodeoxynucleotides possessing 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone chromophores (NQ) at the interior of the strand. The photooxidation and subsequent hot piperidine treatment of duplex consisting of the NQ-tethered oligodeoxynucleotide and its complementary strand bearing 5-methylcytosine residue led to selective DNA strand cleavage at the 5-methylcytosine residue, whereas no strand cleavage was detected for the control duplex with normal cytosine residue but not 5-methylcytosine.