Name: atomic force microscopy investigations of dna lesion recognition in nucleotide excision repair
Uploaded: 2017-05-24T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Atomic Force Microscopy Investigations of DNA Lesion Recognition in Nucleotide Excision Repair at JoVE.com

PUC19N, CPD-containing oligonucleotides, and p44 were kindly provided by Samuel Wilson, Korbinian Heil and Thomas Carell, and Gudrun Michels and Caroline Kisker, respectively. This work was supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) FZ82 and TE-671/4 to IT.

1. Sample Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Preparation of DNA substrates11
	<ol>
		<li>Generating a ssDNA gap in the plasmid
		<ol>
			<li>Completely digest a sample of the plasmid (here: modified pUC19, pUC19N) in a reaction tube with an appropriate nickase (here: Nt.BstNBI) followed by enzyme heat inactivation, using conditions according to the manufacturer&#39;s protocol (see Figure 1 for a schematic presentation). Start with ~50 &#181;L and ~500 nM plasmid for a sufficient yield.</li>
...

<ol>
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USA. 100 (25), 14822-14827 (2003).</li><li>Tessmer, I., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanism+of+MutS+searching+for+DNA+mismatches+and+signaling+repair.">Mechanism of MutS searching for DNA mismatches and signaling repair.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 283 (52), 36646-36654 (2008).</li><li>Wagner, K., Moolenaar, G., van Noort, J., Goosen, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Single-molecule+analysis+reveals+two+separate+DNA-binding+domains+in+the+Escherichia+coli+UvrA+dimer.">Single-molecule analysis reveals two separate DNA-binding domains in the Escherichia coli UvrA dimer.</a> Nucleic Acids Res. 37 (6), 1962-1972 (2009).</li><li>Buechner, C. 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Biol. 9 (2), 021001 (2012).</li><li>Maurer, S., Fritz, J., Muskhelishvili, G., Travers, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=RNA+polymerase+and+an+activator+form+discrete+subcomplexes+in+a+transcription+initiation+complex.">RNA polymerase and an activator form discrete subcomplexes in a transcription initiation complex.</a> EMBO J. 25 (16), 3784-3790 (2006).</li><li>Sambrook, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 1, (2012).</li><li>Theis, K., Chen, P. J., Skorvaga, M., Van Houten, B., Kisker, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Crystal+structure+of+UvrB,+a+DNA+helicase+adapted+for+nucleotide+excision+repair.">Crystal structure of UvrB, a DNA helicase adapted for nucleotide excision repair.</a> EMBO J. 18 (24), 6899-6907 (1999).</li><li>Kuper, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+TFIIH,+XPD+helicase+is+exclusively+devoted+to+DNA+repair.">In TFIIH, XPD helicase is exclusively devoted to DNA repair.</a> PLoS Biol. 12 (9), e1001954 (2014).</li><li>Shlyakhtenko, L. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Silatrane-based+surface+chemistry+for+immobilization+of+DNA,+protein-DNA+complexes+and+other+biological+materials.">Silatrane-based surface chemistry for immobilization of DNA, protein-DNA complexes and other biological materials.</a> Ultramicroscopy. 97, 279-287 (2003).</li><li>Roth, H. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=XPB+helicase+regulates+DNA+incision+by+the+Thermoplasma+acidophilum+endonuclease+Bax1.">XPB helicase regulates DNA incision by the Thermoplasma acidophilum endonuclease Bax1.</a> DNA Repair. 11 (3), 286-293 (2012).</li><li>Ratcliff, G. C., Erie, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+Novel+Single-Molecule+Study+to+Determine+Protein-Protein+Association+Constants.">A Novel Single-Molecule Study to Determine Protein-Protein Association Constants.</a> J. Am. Chem. Soc. 123 (24), 5632-5635 (2001).</li><li>Yang, Y., Sass, L. E., Du, C., Hsieh, P., Erie, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Determination+of+protein-DNA+binding+constants+and+specificities+from+statistical+analyses+of+single+molecules:+MutS-DNA+interactions.">Determination of protein-DNA binding constants and specificities from statistical analyses of single molecules: MutS-DNA interactions.</a> Nucleic Acids Res. 33 (13), 4322-4334 (2005).</li><li>Caron, P. R., Grossman, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Involvement+of+a+cryptic+ATPase+activity+of+UvrB+and+its+proteolysis+product,+UvrB*+in+DNA+repair.">Involvement of a cryptic ATPase activity of UvrB and its proteolysis product, UvrB* in DNA repair.</a> Nucleic Acids Res. 16 (22), 10891-10902 (1988).</li><li>Wang, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=UvrB+domain+4,+an+autoinhibitory+gate+for+regulation+of+DNA+binding+and+ATPase+activity.">UvrB domain 4, an autoinhibitory gate for regulation of DNA binding and ATPase activity.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 281 (22), 15227-15237 (2006).</li><li>Chammas, O., Billingsley, D. J., Bonass, W. A., Thomson, N. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Single-stranded+DNA+loops+as+fiducial+markers+for+exploring+DNA-protein+interactions+in+single+molecule+imaging.">Single-stranded DNA loops as fiducial markers for exploring DNA-protein interactions in single molecule imaging.</a> Methods. 60 (2), 122-130 (2013).</li><li>Truglio, J. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structural+basis+for+DNA+recognition+and+processing+by+UvrB.">Structural basis for DNA recognition and processing by UvrB.</a> Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 13 (4), 360-364 (2006).</li><li>Kuper, J., Wolski, S. C., Michels, G., Kisker, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+and+structural+studies+of+the+nucleotide+excision+repair+helicase+XPD+suggest+a+polarity+for+DNA+translocation.">Functional and structural studies of the nucleotide excision repair helicase XPD suggest a polarity for DNA translocation.</a> EMBO J. 31 (2), 494-502 (2012).</li><li>Verhoeven, E. E., Wyman, C., Moolenaar, G. F., Goosen, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+presence+of+two+UvrB+subunits+in+the+UvrAB+complex+ensures+damage+detection+in+both+DNA+strands.">The presence of two UvrB subunits in the UvrAB complex ensures damage detection in both DNA strands.</a> EMBO J. 21 (15), 4196-4205 (2002).</li><li>Verhoeven, E. E., Wyman, C., Moolenaar, G. F., Hoeijmakers, J. H., Goosen, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Architecture+of+nucleotide+excision+repair+complexes:+DNA+is+wrapped+by+UvrB+before+and+after+damage+recognition.">Architecture of nucleotide excision repair complexes: DNA is wrapped by UvrB before and after damage recognition.</a> EMBO J. 20 (3), 601-611 (2001).</li><li>Moolenaar, G. F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Role+of+ATP+Binding+and+Hydrolysis+by+UvrB+during+Nucleotide+Excision+Repair.">The Role of ATP Binding and Hydrolysis by UvrB during Nucleotide Excision Repair.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 275, 8044-8050 (2000).</li></ol>

AFM statistical analyses of binding positions of proteins on long DNA fragments that contain specific target sites can reveal interesting details on the particular strategies employed by the protein to recognize these sites2,3,4,5,6. To interpret the resulting position distributions, the positions of the targets in the DNA need to be precisely known. This is a...

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful technique for the analysis of protein-DNA interactions1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. It requires only low amounts of sample material to directly visualize heterogeneous samples with a resolution at the single molecule level. Heterogeneity can result from different conformational or oligomeric states of a protein. In particular, in the context of protein-DNA samples, protein complexes can display different stoichiometries and/or conformations induced by DNA binding in general or binding to a specific target site within DNA. Heterogeneous samples may also contain two (or more) different kinds of proteins, and different protein complex forms (e.g., consisting of only one type of protein versus heteromeric complexes) may interact differently with DNA. The studies discussed here exploit AFM imaging in air on static, dried samples of DNA repair proteins bound to long (~900 base pairs, bp) DNA fragments that contain a lesion, which represents a target of these proteins. The high, molecular resolution of AFM allows the distinction between different types of protein complexes and to determine the binding positions of the proteins on the DNA fragments. Importantly, the lesions are introduced into the DNA substrates at well-defined positions. Because the position of the lesion site in the DNA is known, the distributions of proteins bound on DNA provide insight into (different) lesion recognition properties of the (different) protein complexes, e.g., how well they recognize a particular type of lesion (compared to non-damaged DNA)2,3,4,5,6. Their positions on the DNA also allow the distinction between protein complexes bound specifically at the lesions and complexes bound nonspecifically elsewhere on the DNA. Separate characterization of these different complex types (complexes bound specifically at the lesion versus nonspecific complexes) can reveal potential conformational changes in the complexes induced upon target site identification.
The DNA repair proteins focused on here are helicases that are responsible for lesion recognition in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. In bacteria, NER is achieved by the proteins UvrA, UvrB, and UvrC. UvrA is responsible for initial lesion sensing in a UvaA2/UvrB2 DNA-scanning complex. Upon lesion verification by UvrB this complex converts to monomeric UvrB bound at the lesion site and this specific complex can then recruit the prokaryotic NER endonuclease UvrC. UvrC excises a short (12-13 nt) stretch of single stranded DNA (ssDNA) containing the lesion. The missing stretch is then refilled by DNA polymerase. Finally, DNA ligase seals the newly synthesized stretch with the original DNA9,10. In eukaryotes, most proteins of the NER cascade are part of the large, multimeric transcription factor II H (TFIIH) complex. After initial lesion sensing via the trimeric CEN2-XPC-HR23B complex, TFIIH is recruited to the DNA target site. When XPD within the complex verifies the presence of an NER target lesion, the eukaryotic NER endonucleases XPG and XPF are recruited to excise a short (24-32 nt) stretch of ssDNA containing the lesion9,10. Here, specifically, the helicases UvrB and XPD from prokaryotic and eukaryotic NER, respectively, were studied. These helicases require an unpaired region in the DNA (a DNA bubble) to thread onto one of the two DNA single strands and subsequently translocate along this strand fueled by ATP hydrolysis. In addition to the DNA lesions, a DNA bubble was hence introduced in the substrates that functions as loading site for the proteins.
The procedure for preparation of specific lesion DNA substrates has been described previously11. It requires a circular DNA construct (plasmid) with two closely spaced restriction sites for a nickase. In the context of this study, the plasmid pUC19N (2729 bp) was used (created by S. Wilson&#39;s laboratory, NIEHS). This plasmid contains three closely spaced restriction sites for the nickase Nt.BstNBI that frame a 48 nucleotide (nt) stretch. After incubation with the nickase, the stretch of ssDNA between these sites can be removed and replaced by an oligonucleotide containing any target feature. After each step, complete enzymatic digestion is tested via agarose gel electrophoresis. Nicked circular DNA can be distinguished due to its lower electrophoretic mobility compared to the original supercoiled plasmid. Gapping of the DNA and replacement of the removed stretch by the specific substrate oligonucleotide can be evaluated via digestion with a restriction enzyme which incises the substrate exclusively within the region between the nicks. Linearization of the circular plasmid by the enzyme will hence be suppressed for the gapped DNA and restored after insertion of the specific oligonucleotide. Finally, two endonuclease restriction sites (ideally single cutters) allow for the generation of a linear DNA substrate, with length as desired and with the specific target site at a defined position as well as a DNA bubble at a distance from the lesion either in 5&#39; or 3&#39; direction.
Recognition of the lesions by the NER helicases can be investigated via AFM imaging. Stalled DNA translocation of the helicases at the lesion site is visible as a peak in the protein position distribution on the DNA and indicates lesion recognition. Because DNA translocation of these helicases is furthermore directional, with 5&#39;-to-3&#39; polarity, the dependence of lesion recognition on the position of the loading site (DNA bubble upstream or downstream from the lesion) also indicates whether the lesion is preferentially recognized on the translocated or on the opposite, non-translocated ssDNA strand5,9. In the following sections, the methods used will be introduced and major findings from these experiments will be briefly discussed. Importantly, analogous to the exemplary work on DNA repair shown here, AFM imaging can be applied to the study of different DNA interacting systems, such as DNA replication or transcription8,12,13,14.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Molecular Force Probe (MFP) 3D</td>
			<td>Asylum Research</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>atomic force microscope (AFM)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Precision 390</td>
			<td>DELL</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>computer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ThermoMixer and 1.5 ml block</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td>5382000015</td>
			<td>heat block for DNA preparation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rotilabo Block-Heater H 250 &#38; blocks for 0.5 ml tubes</td>
			<td>Carl Roth GmbH</td>
			<td>Y264.1 &#38; Y267.1</td>
			<td>heat block for protein-DNA incubations</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mini-Sub Cell GT</td>
			<td>Bio-Rad Laboratories GmbH</td>
			<td>1704467</td>
			<td>electrophoresis chamber with gel caster and power supply</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Power Pac Basic</td>
			<td>Bio-Rad Laboratories GmbH</td>
			<td>1645050</td>
			<td>electrophoresis power supply</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Centifuge 5415 D with rotor</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td>2262120-3</td>
			<td>table centrifuge</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultra-Lum electronic UV transillumonator MEB-15</td>
			<td>Ultralum</td>
			<td>900-1322-02</td>
			<td>UV irradiation table</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NanoDrop ND-1000</td>
			<td>VWR International / PEQLAB Biotechnologie GmbH</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>UV spectrophotometer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TKAX-CAD with 0.2 &#956;m capsule filter</td>
			<td>Unity Lab Services</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>water deionization and filter unit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Software</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MFP software on Igor Pro</td>
			<td>Asylum Research</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>AFM software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ImageJ (open source Java image processing)</td>
			<td>NIH Image</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Image analysis software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Excel (Microsoft Office)</td>
			<td>Microsoft Corporation</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>data analysis software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Origin9 / Origin2016</td>
			<td>OriginLab Corporation</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>statistical data analysis and graphing software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Material</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>OMCL-AC240TS</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td>OMCL-AC240TS</td>
			<td>AFM cantilevers</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>grade V-5 muscovite</td>
			<td>SPI Supplies</td>
			<td>1805</td>
			<td>mica sheets</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Amicon Ultra 0.5ml 50k Ultracell</td>
			<td>Millipore Ireland Ltd.</td>
			<td>UFC505096</td>
			<td>centrifuge filters</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NucleoSpin Extract II&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;Macherey-Nagel GmbH</td>
			<td>740 609.250</td>
			<td>Agarose gel extraction kit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rotilabo cellulose paper type 111A</td>
			<td>Carl Roth GmbH</td>
			<td>AP59.1</td>
			<td>AFM deposition blotting paper</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anatop 25 (0.02 &#956;m)</td>
			<td>Whatman GmbH</td>
			<td>6809-2102</td>
			<td>syringe filter</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SSpI, BspQI</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs (NEB)</td>
			<td>R0132, R0712</td>
			<td>restriction enzymes for DNA substrate preparation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>XhoI, BglII</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>R0146, R0144</td>
			<td>restriction enzymes for DNA preparation controls</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>nicking restriction enzyme Nt.BstNBI</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs (NEB)</td>
			<td>R0607</td>
			<td>nickase</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>T4 DNA ligase</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs (NEB)</td>
			<td>M0202S</td>
			<td>Ligase</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tris, HEPES</td>
			<td>Carl Roth GmbH</td>
			<td>4855, 9105</td>
			<td>buffer chemicals</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl, MgCl2, KCl, MgAcetate</td>
			<td>Carl Roth GmbH</td>
			<td>3957, HN03, HN02, P026</td>
			<td>salt chemicals</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaAc</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich Chemie GmbH</td>
			<td>32318</td>
			<td>salt chemicals</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DTT, TCEP, EDTA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>6908, HN95, 8040</td>
			<td>chemicals/reagents</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>agarose, acetic acid, HCl</td>
			<td>Carl Roth GmbH</td>
			<td>2267, 3738, K025</td>
			<td>reagents</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ATP&#404;S</td>
			<td>Jena Bioscience</td>
			<td>NU-406</td>
			<td>nucleotides</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ATP</td>
			<td>Carl Roth GmbH</td>
			<td>K054</td>
			<td>nucleotides</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>oligonucleotide #1 in Table 1</td>
			<td>Biomers</td>
			<td>custom</td>
			<td>complementary DNA oligonucleotide</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>oligonucleotides #2, #3, and #6 in Table 1</td>
			<td>Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT)</td>
			<td>custom</td>
			<td>fluorescein containing oligonucleotides</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>oligonucleotides #4&#160; and #5 in Table 1</td>
			<td>private (available from e.g. TriLink or GlenResearch)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>CPD containing oligonucleotides</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SafeSeal reaction tube 0.5 ml and 1.5 ml</td>
			<td>Sarstedt</td>
			<td>72.704 and 72.706</td>
			<td>incubation tubes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GeneRuler 1 kb</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>SM0311</td>
			<td>DNA ladder</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6x concentrate gel loading dye purple</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs (NEB)</td>
			<td>51406</td>
			<td>DNA loading dye</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Midori Green&#160;</td>
			<td>Nippon Genetics Europe GmbH</td>
			<td>999MG28055</td>
			<td>DNA stain</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

atomic force microscopy investigations of dna lesion recognition in nucleotide excision repair

AFM imaging is a powerful technique for the study of protein-DNA interactions. This single molecule method allows the simultaneous resolution of different molecules and molecular assemblies in a heterogeneous sample. In the particular context of DNA interacting protein systems, different protein complex forms and their corresponding binding positions on target sites containing DNA fragments can thus be distinguished. Here, an application of AFM to the study of DNA lesion recognition in the prokaryotic and eukaryotic nucleotide excision DNA repair (NER) systems is presented. The procedures of DNA and protein sample preparations are described and experimental as well as analytical details of the experiments are provided. The data allow important conclusions on the strategies by which target site verification may be achieved by the NER proteins. Interestingly, they indicate different approaches of lesion recognition and identification for the eukaryotic NER system, depending on the type of lesion. Furthermore, distinct structural properties of the two different helicases involved in prokaryotic and eukaryotic NER result in and explain the different strategies observed for these two systems. Importantly, these experimental and analytical approaches can be applied not only to the study of DNA repair but also very similarly to other DNA interacting protein systems such as those involved in replication or transcription processes.

Distinguishing between different complex types based on protein complex volumes
The helicase activity of the prokaryotic NER helicase UvrB is stimulated by DNA binding22,23. UvrB requires an unpaired region in the DNA (a DNA bubble) in order to load correctly onto one of the two single ssDNA strands. In vivo, this DNA structure is provided by DNA interactions throu...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Atomic Force Microscopy Investigations of DNA Lesion Recognition in Nucleotide Excision Repair at JoVE.com

Atomic Force Microscopy Investigations of DNA Lesion Recognition in Nucleotide Excision Repair

Here, the study of different DNA lesion recognition approaches via single molecule AFM imaging is demonstrated with the nucleotide excision repair system as an example. The procedures of DNA and protein sample preparations and experimental as well as analytical details for the AFM experiments are described.

AFM imaging is a powerful technique for the study of protein-DNA interactions. This single molecule method allows the simultaneous resolution of different ...

The overall goal of this atomic force microscopy experiment is to resolve interactions of DNA repair proteins with damage sites in DNA and to distinguish between different DNA interactions by various protein complexes. This method can help answer key questions in the DNA repair field, such as how a particular DNA repair system achieves the recognition of its target lesions in the DNA. The main advantage of this technique is that we can directly see and analyze the different types of complexes that are involved in the DNA lesion recognition process.Demonstrating the procedure will be Nicolas Wirth, who used this approach during his bachelor research. To begin, prepare a suitable DNA substrate by generating a single-stranded DNA gap in a plasmid. Refill the gap with modified, single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides, and finally, linearize the plasma DNA using appropriate restriction enzymes.For these experiments, the double-stranded DNA substrates are about 1, 000 base pairs long and contain a DNA lesion as well as an unpaired region called a DNA bubble for protein loading onto the DNA. Next, prepare a protein DNA sample for AFM analysis by first pipetting 10x Reaction Buffer and water into a microreaction tube. Then, add the DNA and proteins under investigation.For example, here, 100 nanomolar of the DNA sample and one micromolar or each of the eukaryotic nucleotide excision repair proteins XPD and p44. Then, incubate the reaction for 30 minutes at 37 degrees Celsius in a heat block. Following the incubation, briefly spin down the sample.Next, prepare a mica substrate to place the sample onto. Use a scalpel to cut a one-centimeter by one-centimeter piece of mica from a larger strip. Then, use a piece of adhesive tape to remove the top layers of the mica to reveal a clean, flat, anatomically smooth substrate surface.Dilate the protein DNA sample fifty to a hundredfold in AFM deposition buffer, and immediately deposit 20 microliters of the diluted sample onto the mica surface. The dilution factor depends on the sample concentration. Immediately after depositing the sample on the mica surface, rinse the sample three to four times with a few milliliters of filtered, deionized water and blot off excess liquid.Use a gentle stream of nitrogen to blow dry the sample. Finally, use adhesive tape to fix the sample at its edges onto a microscope slide. Place the sample in the middle of the AFM stage and use magnetic pads to fix the microscope slide on the stage.Then, insert the AFM tip into the tip holder. Fix the tip in the holder under a clamp by tightening the screw so that it is finger tight. Once secured, enter the tip holder into the AFM measurement head.Use the positioning screws to move the sample in a central position. Place the AFM measurement head on top of the sample, making sure the head stands stably with its legs inside the stage indentations. Next, align the AFM laser on the back of the cantilever for optimal signal strength.Watch the reflection signal in the AFM video window to crudely position the laser. For this AFM model, turn the wheels of the right side and back of the AFM measurement head to adjust the X and Y positions of the AFM laser in order to direct it centrally onto the end of the cantilever. Then, optimize the detector sum signal by fine-tuning the laser position with the two wheels.Direct the AFM laser reflection onto the detector center by zeroing the different signal from the top and bottom diodes of the detector array. For this step, turn the screw on the left-side of the measurement head for this AFM model. Next, determine the cantilever residence frequency by going into the master panel tune window in the software.Choose an amplitude corresponding to a one-volt input for the Piezo that drives the cantilever oscillation and then set the oscillation frequency to negative 5%slightly lower than the residence frequency. Now perform an auto frequency tune and zero the phase of the oscillation. Leave the system to reach thermal equilibrium for about one hour before you start imaging, in order to avoid drift.When you are ready to start imaging, in the software main panel, set a protecting set point and prepare to approach the tip to the sample surface by selecting engage. Lower the front wheel of the AFM head manually until the protective setting, or set point, is reached. Then, carefully lower the front wheel further until the Z sensor signal is fully extended to the left.Activate the vibration oscillation table and close the acoustic isolation enclosure. Next, lower the set point in the AFM software using the hamster wheel to fine engage the AFM tip with the sample. To perform tapping mode imaging in the repulsive regime, lower the set point until the phase signal becomes slightly lower than the free level phase.Then, begin scanning the sample. Use the scan speed of 2.5 micrometers per second in image surface areas of four micrometer by four micrometer or eight micrometer by eight micrometer squares with pixel resolutions of 2, 048 or 4, 096, respectively;and press the Do Scan button. Preselect relevant protein DNA complexes by direct visual inspection of the images in the AFM software.For XPD samples, possible complexes include XPD p44 DNA, as well as XPD DNA and p44 DNA with distinctly different sizes due to the different molecular masses of XPD and p44. Measure volumes of individual protein peaks on the DNA by using the section tool in the analysis window to measure the height and diameter of the protein peak sections with the section window cursors. Use these values to determine the volume of the peaks using simple mathematical models to verify the complex type.Finally, calibrate your AFM system with a range of proteins with known molecular weights to translate these volumes into approximate molecular weights of proteins and protein complexes. In order to determine additional features, such as DNA fragment lengths, the positions of protein complexes on the DNA and their target-site specificities or DNA band angles, see the accompanying text protocol. Shown here is an AFM image with three different types of DNA-bound complexes that can be distinguished based on their different sizes.Class one complexes are consistent with only the helicase activating co-factor p44, class two complexes consist of only the XPD protein, and class three complexes consist of both XPD and p44 as legion recognition by XPD requires the activation of its helicase activity by p44, and only the class three complexes show lesion recognition. In order to identify different lesion recognition strategies, the locations of proteins on the DNA substrates were measured for protein loading at a DNA bubble in either the five prime or three prime directions from a DNA lesion shown in red for prokaryotic and eukaryotic NER helicases. In the protein position distributions, DNA lesion recognition can be seen as a peak due to enhanced binding at the DNA lesion position.The prokaryotic NER helicase UVRB and its eukaryotic counterpart, XPD, show different strategies of CPD lesion recognition that indicate different DNA strand preferences. Specifically, CPD lesions are recognized on the translocated strand by UVRB, but preferentially on the opposite, non-translocated strand by XPD. Once mastered, this method can be done in a few hours or days including analysis.It's important to work with highly pure protein and DNA samples to be able to interpret the features in the AFM images and to carefully design the DNA substrate depending on the biological system and on the question you want to address. In addition, ensemble methods, such as gel electrophoresis space, electromobility shift, or DNA incision assays are, of course, highly complementary to these AFM experiments;and these methods can help address additional questions, such as on DNA binding affinities or DNA lesion excision activities. This technique is a relatively fast and simple approach to directly visualize protein DNA complexes, and these complexes give us a good picture of the processes that occur in a biological system.Of course, this is not only useful in understanding DNA repair processes, but it can also be applied to other protein DNA systems. After watching this video, you should have a pretty good idea of how to prepare a sample on your favorite protein DNA system, how to image it by AFM, and of how to extract useful parameters for an interpretation of your data.

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Unit 1

DNA Structure and Function

DNA Repair and Recombination

SCIENTISTS IN ACTION

The Visual Colorimetric Detection of Multi-nucleotide Polymorphisms on a Pneumatic Droplet Manipulation Platform

A simple and visual method to detect multi-nucleotide polymorphism (MNP) was performed on a pneumatic droplet manipulation platform on an open surface. This approach to colorimetric DNA detection was based on the hybridization-mediated growth of gold nanoparticle probes (AuNP probes). The growth size and configuration of the AuNP are dominated by the number of DNA samples hybridized with the probes. Based on the specific size- and shape-dependent optical properties of the nanoparticles, the number of mismatches in a sample DNA fragment to the probes is able to be discriminated. The tests were conducted via droplets containing reagents and DNA samples respectively, and were transported and mixed on the pneumatic platform with the controlled pneumatic suction of the flexible PDMS-based superhydrophobic membrane. Droplets can be delivered simultaneously and precisely on an open-surface on the proposed pneumatic platform that is highly biocompatible with no side effect of DNA samples inside the droplets. Combining the two proposed methods, the multi-nucleotide polymorphism can be detected at sight on the pneumatic droplet manipulation platform; no additional instrument is required. The procedure from installing the droplets on the platform to the final result takes less than 5 min, much less than with existing methods. Moreover, this combined MNP detection approach requires a sample volume of only 10 &#181;l in each operation, which is remarkably less than that of a macro system.

This work presents a simple and visual method to detect multi-nucleotide polymorphisms on a pneumatic droplet manipulation platform. With the proposed method, the entire experiment, including droplet manipulation and detection of multi-nucleotide polymorphisms, can be performed near 23 &#176;C without the aid of advanced instruments.

A simple and visual method to detect multi-nucleotide polymorphism (MNP) was performed on a pneumatic droplet manipulation platform on an open surface. ...

In Situ Labeling of Mitochondrial DNA Replication in Drosophila Adult Ovaries by EdU Staining

The mitochondrial genome is inherited exclusively through the maternal line. Understanding of how the mitochondrion and its genome are proliferated and transmitted from one generation to the next through the female oocyte is of fundamental importance. Because of the genetic tractability, and the elegant, ordered simplicity by which oocyte development proceeds, Drosophila oogenesis has become an invaluable system for mitochondrial study. An EdU (5-ethynyl-2&#180;-deoxyuridine) labeling method was utilized to detect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication in Drosophila ovaries. This method is superior to the BrdU (5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine) labeling method in that it allows for good structural preservation and efficient fluorescent dye penetration of whole-mount tissues.
Here we describe a detailed protocol for labeling replicating mitochondrial DNA in Drosophila adult ovaries with EdU. Some technical solutions are offered to improve the viability of the ovaries, maintain their health during preparation, and ensure high-quality imaging. Visualization of newly synthesized mtDNA in the ovaries not only reveals the striking temporal and spatial pattern of mtDNA replication through oogenesis, but also allows for simple quantification of mtDNA replication under various genetic and pharmacological perturbations.

In Situ Labeling of Mitochondrial DNA Replication in Drosophila Adult Ovaries by EdU Staining

Drosophila oogenesis continues to be exceptionally useful in the study of mitochondrial proliferation and inheritance. This manuscript describes a detailed protocol used to label the replicating mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in Drosophila adult ovaries with 5-ethynyl-2&#180;-deoxyuridine (EdU), which facilitates uncovering mechanisms associated with mitochondrial inheritance that were previously debatable.

The mitochondrial genome is inherited exclusively through the maternal line. Understanding of how the mitochondrion and its genome are proliferated and ...

Kinetics of Lagging-strand DNA Synthesis In Vitro by the Bacteriophage T7 Replication Proteins

Here we provide protocols for the kinetic examination of lagging-strand DNA synthesis in vitro by the replication proteins of bacteriophage T7. The T7 replisome is one of the simplest replication systems known, composed of only four proteins, which is an attractive feature for biochemical experiments. Special emphasis is placed on the synthesis of ribonucleotide primers by the T7 primase-helicase, which are used by DNA polymerase to initiate DNA synthesis. Because the mechanisms of DNA replication are conserved across evolution, these protocols should be applicable, or useful as a conceptual springboard, to investigators using other model systems. The protocols described here are highly sensitive and an experienced investigator can perform these experiments and obtain data for analysis in about a day. The only specialized piece of equipment required is a rapid-quench flow instrument, but this piece of equipment is relatively common and available from various commercial sources. The major drawbacks of these assays, however, include the use of radioactivity and the relative low throughput.

Kinetics of Lagging-strand DNA Synthesis In Vitro by the Bacteriophage T7 Replication Proteins

We describe sensitive, gel-based discontinuous assays to examine the kinetics of lagging-strand initiation using the replication proteins of bacteriophage T7.

Here we provide protocols for the kinetic examination of lagging-strand DNA synthesis in vitro by the replication proteins of bacteriophage T7. The T7 ...

Assessment of DNA Contamination in RNA Samples Based on Ribosomal DNA

One method extensively used for the quantification of gene expression changes and transcript abundances is reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). It provides accurate, sensitive, reliable, and reproducible results. Several factors can affect the sensitivity and specificity of RT-qPCR. Residual genomic DNA (gDNA) contaminating RNA samples is one of them. In gene expression analysis, non-specific amplification due to gDNA contamination will overestimate the abundance of transcript levels and can affect the RT-qPCR results. Generally, gDNA is detected by qRT-PCR using primer pairs annealing to intergenic regions or an intron of the gene of interest. Unfortunately, intron/exon annotations are not yet known for all genes from vertebrate, bacteria, protist, fungi, plant, and invertebrate metazoan species.
Here we present a protocol for detection of gDNA contamination in RNA samples by using ribosomal DNA (rDNA)-based primers. The method is based on the unique features of rDNA: their multigene nature, highly conserved sequences, and high frequency in the genome. Also as a case study, a unique set of primers were designed based on the conserved region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) in the Poaceae family. The universality of these primer pairs was tested by melt curve analysis and agarose gel electrophoresis. Although our method explains how rDNA-based primers can be applied for the gDNA contamination assay in the Poaceae family,&#160;it could be easily used to other prokaryote and eukaryote species

Here, we present a protocol for tracing genomic DNA (gDNA) contamination in RNA samples. The presented method utilizes primers specific for the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) genes. The method is suited for reliable and sensitive detection of DNA contamination in most eukaryotes and prokaryotes.

One method extensively used for the quantification of gene expression changes and transcript abundances is reverse-transcription quantitative real-time ...

Genome-wide Mapping of Protein-DNA Interactions with ChEC-seq in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genome-wide mapping of protein-DNA interactions is critical for understanding gene regulation, chromatin remodeling, and other chromatin-resident processes. Formaldehyde crosslinking followed by chromatin immunoprecipitation and high-throughput sequencing (X-ChIP-seq) has been used to gain many valuable insights into genome biology. However, X-ChIP-seq has notable limitations linked to crosslinking and sonication. Native ChIP avoids these drawbacks by omitting crosslinking, but often results in poor recovery of chromatin-bound proteins. In addition, all ChIP-based methods are subject to antibody quality considerations. Enzymatic methods for mapping protein-DNA interactions, which involve fusion of a protein of interest to a DNA-modifying enzyme, have also been used to map protein-DNA interactions. We recently combined one such method, chromatin endogenous cleavage (ChEC), with high-throughput sequencing as ChEC-seq. ChEC-seq relies on fusion of a chromatin-associated protein of interest to micrococcal nuclease (MNase) to generate targeted DNA cleavage in the presence of calcium in living cells. ChEC-seq is not based on immunoprecipitation and so circumvents potential concerns with crosslinking, sonication, chromatin solubilization, and antibody quality while providing high resolution mapping with minimal background signal. We envision that ChEC-seq will be a powerful counterpart to ChIP, providing an independent means by which to both validate ChIP-seq findings and discover new insights into genomic regulation.

Genome-wide Mapping of Protein-DNA Interactions with ChEC-seq in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We describe chromatin endogenous cleavage coupled with high-throughput sequencing (ChEC-seq), a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-orthogonal method for mapping protein binding sites genome-wide with micrococcal nuclease (MNase) fusion proteins.

Genome-wide mapping of protein-DNA interactions is critical for understanding gene regulation, chromatin remodeling, and other chromatin-resident ...

Sequence-specific and Selective Recognition of Double-stranded RNAs over Single-stranded RNAs by Chemically Modified Peptide Nucleic Acids

RNAs are emerging as important biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Thus, there is great potential in developing chemical probes and therapeutic ligands for the recognition of RNA sequence and structure. Chemically modified Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) oligomers have been recently developed that can recognize RNA duplexes in a sequence-specific manner. PNAs are chemically stable with a neutral peptide-like backbone. PNAs can be synthesized relatively easily by the manual Boc-chemistry solid-phase peptide synthesis method. PNAs are purified by reverse-phase HPLC, followed by molecular weight characterization by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF). Non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) technique facilitates the imaging of the triplex formation, because carefully designed free RNA duplex constructs and PNA bound triplexes often show different migration rates. Non-denaturing PAGE with ethidium bromide post staining is often an easy and informative technique for characterizing the binding affinities and specificities of PNA oligomers. Typically, multiple RNA hairpins or duplexes with single base pair mutations can be used to characterize PNA binding properties, such as binding affinities and specificities. 2-Aminopurine is an isomer of adenine (6-aminopurine); the 2-aminopurine fluorescence intensity is sensitive to local structural environment changes, and is suitable for the monitoring of triplex formation with the 2-aminopurine residue incorporated near the PNA binding site. 2-Aminopurine fluorescence titration can also be used to confirm the binding selectivity of modified PNAs towards targeted double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) over single-stranded RNAs (ssRNAs). UV-absorbance-detected thermal melting experiments allow the measurement of the thermal stability of PNA-RNA duplexes and PNA&#183;RNA2 triplexes. Here, we describe the synthesis and purification of PNA oligomers incorporating modified residues, and describe biochemical and biophysical methods for characterization of the recognition of RNA duplexes by the modified PNAs.

We report the protocols for the synthesis and purification of Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) oligomers incorporating modified residues. The biochemical and biophysical methods for the characterization of the recognition of RNA duplexes by the modified PNAs are described.

RNAs are emerging as important biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Thus, there is great potential in developing chemical probes and therapeutic ligands ...

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

For several decades, 5-methylcytosine (5mC) has been thought to be the only DNA modification with a functional significance in metazoans. The discovery of enzymatic oxidation of 5mC to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC) and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC) as well as detection of N6-methyladenine (6mA) in the DNA of multicellular organisms provided additional degrees of complexity to the epigenetic research. According to a growing body of experimental evidence, these novel DNA modifications may play specific roles in different cellular and developmental processes. Importantly, as some of these marks (e. g. 5hmC, 5fC and 5caC) exhibit tissue- and developmental stage-specific occurrence in vertebrates, immunochemistry represents an important tool allowing assessment of spatial distribution of DNA modifications in different biological contexts. Here the methods for computational analysis of DNA modifications visualized by immunostaining followed by confocal microscopy are described. Specifically, the generation of 2.5 dimension (2.5D) signal intensity plots, signal intensity profiles, quantification of staining intensity in multiple cells and determination of signal colocalization coefficients are shown. Collectively, these techniques may be operational in evaluating the levels and localization of these DNA modifications in the nucleus, contributing to elucidating their biological roles in metazoans.

Newly discovered oxidized forms of 5-methylcytosine (oxi-mCs), 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC) and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC) may represent distinct DNA modifications with unique functional roles. Here a semi-quantitative workflow for visualization of oxi-mCs' spatial distribution, signal intensity profiling and colocalization is described.

For several decades, 5-methylcytosine (5mC) has been thought to be the only DNA modification with a functional significance in metazoans. The discovery of ...

Profiling DNA Replication Timing Using Zebrafish as an In Vivo Model System

DNA replication timing is an important cellular characteristic, exhibiting significant relationships with chromatin structure, transcription, and DNA mutation rates. Changes in replication timing occur during development and in cancer, but the role replication timing plays in development and disease is not known. Zebrafish were recently established as an in vivo model system to study replication timing. Here is detailed the protocols for using the zebrafish to determine DNA replication timing. After sorting cells from embryos and adult zebrafish, high-resolution genome-wide DNA replication timing patterns can be constructed by determining changes in DNA copy number through analysis of next generation sequencing data. The zebrafish model system allows for evaluation of the replication timing changes that occur in vivo throughout development, and can also be used to assess changes in individual cell types, disease models, or mutant lines. These methods will enable studies investigating the mechanisms and determinants of replication timing establishment and maintenance during development, the role replication timing plays in mutations and tumorigenesis, and the effects of perturbing replication timing on development and disease.

Profiling DNA Replication Timing Using Zebrafish as an In Vivo Model System

Zebrafish were recently used as an in vivo model system to study DNA replication timing during development. Here is detailed the protocols for using zebrafish embryos to profile replication timing. This protocol can be easily adapted to study replication timing in mutants, individual cell types, disease models, and other species.

DNA replication timing is an important cellular characteristic, exhibiting significant relationships with chromatin structure, transcription, and DNA ...

A Simple, Rapid, and Quantitative Assay to Measure Repair of DNA-protein Crosslinks on Plasmids Transfected into Mammalian Cells

The purpose of this method is to provide a flexible, rapid, and quantitative technique to examine the kinetics of DNA-protein crosslink (DPC) repair in mammalian cell lines. Rather than globally assaying removal of xenobiotic-induced or spontaneous chromosomal DPC removal, this assay examines the repair of a homogeneous, chemically defined lesion specifically introduced at one site within a plasmid DNA substrate. Importantly, this approach avoids the use of radioactive materials and is not dependent on expensive or highly-specialized technology. Instead, it relies on standard recombinant DNA procedures and widely available real-time, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) instrumentation. Given the inherent flexibility of the strategy utilized, the size of the crosslinked protein, as well as the nature of the chemical linkage and the precise DNA sequence context of the attachment site can be varied to address the respective contributions of these parameters to the overall efficiency of DPC repair. Using this method, plasmids containing a site-specific DPC were transfected into cells and low molecular weight DNA recovered at various times post-transfection. Recovered DNA is then subjected to strand-specific primer extension (SSPE) using a primer complementary to the damaged strand of the plasmid. Since the DPC lesion blocks Taq DNA polymerase, the ratio of repaired to un-repaired DNA can be quantitatively assessed using qPCR. Cycle threshold (CT) values are used to calculate percent repair at various time points in the respective cell lines. This SSPE-qPCR method can also be used to quantitatively assess the repair kinetics of any DNA adduct that blocks Taq polymerase.

The goal of this protocol is to quantify the repair of defined DNA-protein crosslinks on plasmid DNA. Lesioned plasmids are transfected into recipient mammalian cell lines and low-molecular weight harvested at multiple time points post-transfection. DNA repair kinetics are quantified using strand-specific primer extension followed by qPCR.

The purpose of this method is to provide a flexible, rapid, and quantitative technique to examine the kinetics of DNA-protein crosslink (DPC) repair in ...

Methodology for Accurate Detection of Mitochondrial DNA Methylation

Quantification of DNA methylation can be achieved using bisulfite sequencing, which takes advantage of the property of sodium bisulfite to convert unmethylated cytosine into uracil, in a single-stranded DNA context. Bisulfite sequencing can be targeted (using PCR) or performed on the whole genome and provides absolute quantification of cytosine methylation at the single base-resolution. Given the distinct nature of nuclear- and mitochondrial DNA, notably in the secondary structure, adaptions of bisulfite sequencing methods for investigating cytosine methylation in mtDNA should be made. Secondary and tertiary structure of mtDNA can indeed lead to bisulfite sequencing artifacts leading to false-positives due to incomplete denaturation poor access of bisulfite to single-stranded DNA. Here, we describe a protocol using an enzymatic digestion of DNA with BamHI coupled with bioinformatic analysis pipeline to allow accurate quantification of cytosine methylation levels in mtDNA. In addition, we provide guidelines for designing the bisulfite sequencing primers specific to mtDNA, in order to avoid targeting undesirable NUclear MiTochondrial segments (NUMTs) inserted into the nuclear genome.

Here, we present a protocol to allow accurate quantification of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) methylation. In this protocol, we describe an enzymatic digestion of DNA with BamHI coupled with a bioinformatic analysis pipeline which can be used to avoid overestimation of mtDNA methylation levels caused by the secondary structure of mtDNA.