Rapid quantification of total genomic DNA methylation degree by short-end injection capillary zone electrophoresis

We propose a new capillary zone electrophoresis method applying short-end injection technique for the fast evaluation of methylcystosine/total cytosine ratio after acidic DNA hydrolysis. By short-end injection and by using a 100 mmol/l Tris solution titrated with 1 mol/l phosphoric acid to pH 3.75 as background electrolyte, cytosine and methylcytosine were separated with a good resolution in less than 1.5 min. Stepwise multiple linear regression with DNA methylation degree as the dependent variable and age, cysteine, homocysteine and methionine as independent variables, showed a negative association with age and that total cysteine is the most important determinant of DNA methylation.