Epigenetics of Diabetes: A bioinformatic approach

Clin Chim Acta. 2024 Mar 13;557:117856. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2024.117856. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe adaptability of epigenetics offers a compelling research avenue, notably in the context of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) biomarkers and provides a nuanced approach to managing biological systems for diagnosis. However, challenges such as DNA degradation during methylation studies are prominent, especially with cell-free DNA (cfDNA) which is present in small quantities in plasma, calling for innovative solutions. To tackle these challenges, four methodological approaches have been identified: firstly, selecting an appropriate DNA extraction method and enhancing DNA yield through amplification; secondly, adapting bisulfite modification techniques to minimize DNA degradation; thirdly, utilizing tools capable of working with minimal DNA quantities; and lastly, employing bisulfite-free methylation techniques. A particularly promising approach is the use of Methylated CpG Tandem Amplification and Sequencing (MCTA-Seq) combined with fragmentation analysis. MCTA-Seq, especially when targeting the CGCGCGG motif sequence associated with T2DM, is an underexplored area. In addressing the dearth of the exploration, our in-silico analysis identified 66 genes with the CGCGCGG motif sequence that contribute to the pathophysiology of T2DM. Further analysis revealed five potential target genes for T2DM screening: EP300, SRC, PPARG, CREBBP, and NCOR2. The method can also be integrated int...
Source: International Journal of Clinical Chemistry - Category: Chemistry Authors: Source Type: research