Biomol: Epigenetics

Epigenetics

The term epigenetics refers to heritable changes in phenotype (appearance) or gene expression caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence. This change is accomplished by modification of chromatin, eg. g. DNA (methylation of cytosine) or acetylation or methylation of histones.

Biomol offers several tools for the researcher, which are presented here.

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP for short) is a method used to determine the location of DNA binding sites on the genome for a particular protein of interest. This technique gives a picture of the protein-DNA interactions that occur inside the nucleus of living cells or tissues.

The principle of this assay is that DNA-binding proteins (including transcription factors and (modified) histones) in living cells can be cross-linked to the DNA that they are binding. By using an antibody that is specific to a putative DNA binding protein, one can immunoprecipitate the protein-DNA complex out of cellular lysates. Following crosslinking, the cells are lysed and the DNA is broken into pieces 0.2 kB (for classic PCR detection) to 1 kb (for qPCR detection) in length by sonication. At this point the immunoprecipitation is performed resulting in the purification of protein-DNA complexes. The purified protein-DNA complexes are then heated to reverse the formaldehyde cross-linking of the protein and DNA complexes, allowing the DNA to be separated from the proteins. The identity and quantity of the DNA fragments isolated can then be determined by PCR or - more precisely - by qPCR.

Biomols offers a ChIP kit for PCR detection.

Imgenex QuikChIP™ Kits for classical PCR detection

Imgenex offesr a range of ChIP products (more Info):

ChIP qualified Antibodies

In order to immunoprecipitate chromatin you need antibodies capable to do so: Imgenex offers several ones as well as Bethyl and Rockland Immunochemicals. For a complete listing please click [here].

Histone ELISA Kits and Antibodies

If you are interested in determination of the amount of a specific histone modification, you can detect it with specific antibodies via western blotting, immunostaining (IHC, ICC, FC or IP) or by ELISA.

There are antibodies specific phosphorylated, acetylated or methylated histones.

DNA Methylation

Chromatin remodeling, an epigenetic way of gene expression regulation, is achieved besides post translational modification of histone proteins by the addition of methyl groups to the DNA, at CpG sites, to convert cytosine to 5-methylcytosine. This is catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases (DNMT).

Biomol offers antibodies to DNA Methyltransferase and chromatin remodeling proteins as well as a DNA Methylation analysis system that works without bisulfite.

Chromatin Remodelling Protein Antibodies

Bethyl produces antibodies against chromatin remodelling proteins:

SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodelling Complex These multi-protein complexes are proposed to function as ATP-driven motors that translocate along DNA and destabilize nucleosomal structures to facilitate transcription factor binding.
Antibodies for the Study of DNA Methylation DNA methylation plays an important role in chromatin organization and gene expression.
Antibodies to Jumonji Proteins The jumonji (jmj) domain containing gene family of proteins has been discovered to play a role in chromatin regulation by influencing transcriptional activation, suppression, and demethylation.

DNMT Antibodies

Biomol offers several antibodies to DNA methyltransferases:

See also: IMGENEX HDAC and Dnmt Antibodies.

New: HDAC and Sirtuin Enzymes from BPS Bioscience

BPS Bioscience is the leading producer of HDAC and Sirtuins enzymes: HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, HDAC4, HDAC5 (full length), HDAC6, HDAC7, HDAC8, HDAC9, HDAC10, HDAC11, Sirt1, Sirt2, Sirt3, Sirt4, Sirt5, Sirt6, ... Biomol offer these enzymes as well as assay kits and substrates: Learn more ...

Methyltransferases from BPS Bioscience

Also available: methyltransferase enzymes, assay kits and substrates for epigenetic research.

Epigenetics Research Tools Order Info

and much more: List of all gene regulation research products