Optical probes and sensors as perspective tools in epigenetics

• Published in: Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry Vol. 25; no. 8; pp. 2295 - 2306
• Main Authors: Kejík, Zdeněk, Kaplánek, Robert, Havlík, Martin, Bříza, Tomáš, Jakubek, Milan, Králová, Jarmila, Mikula, Ivan, Martásek, Pavel, Král, Vladimír
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.04.2017
• Subjects: Bioanalytical methods; DNA - chemistry; DNA Methylation; DNA modified cytosine bases; Epigenesis, Genetic; Epigenetics; Histone pattern; Molecular Probes; Optical sensor; Optics and Photonics; Probe; Epigenetics; Optical sensor; Bioanalytical methods; DNA modified cytosine bases; Histone pattern; Probe
• ISSN: 0968-0896; 1464-3391
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.01.011

[Display omitted] •Optical probes and sensor for determination of modifications to DNA cytosine bases.•Optical probes for identification of histones and histone modification.•Epigenetic modifications include changes in DNA accessibility.•Determination of DNA methylation by sensors.•Use of epigenetic profiles for diagnostic applications. Modifications of DNA cytosine bases and histone posttranslational modifications play key roles in the control of gene expression and specification of cell states. Such modifications affect many important biological processes and changes to these important regulation mechanisms can initiate or significantly contribute to the development of many serious pathological states. Therefore, recognition and determination of chromatin modifications is an important goal in basic and clinical research. Two of the most promising tools for this purpose are optical probes and sensors, especially colourimetric and fluorescence devices. The use of optical probes and sensors is simple, without highly expensive instrumentation, and with excellent sensitivity and specificity for target structural motifs. Accordingly, the application of various probes and sensors in the recognition and determination of cytosine modifications and structure of histones and histone posttranslational modifications, are discussed in detail in this review.