Identification of ribozyme catalyzes DNA methylation to develop gene specific DNA methylation system

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K18278
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biofunction/Bioprocess
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Technology
• Principal Investigator: YOSHIDA Wataru 東京工科大学, 応用生物学部, 助教 (10599806)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: リボザイム / DNAメチル化 / In vitro selection / DNA四重鎖

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The research project aimed to identify ribozyme that catalyzes DNA methylation and develop gene specific DNA methylation system in vivo. To identify the ribozyme, in vitro selection has been performed using RNA random library that contains S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) binding RNA motif, because SAM is natural substrate of DNA methyltransferase. After 4th round selection, the RNA library was enriched, indicating that the ribozyme would be contained in the enriched RNA library. Moreover, we revealed that quadruplex structures in VEGF promoter were stabilized by DNA methylation. Using the property, q-PCR-based DNA methylation level detection system that requires neither sodium bisulfite treatment nor methylated DNA ligands was developed.

Free Research Field

核酸工学