A competitive assay that can be used for the quantification of 5-methyl-2'-deoxy cytidine in urine, culture supernatants, plasma, and other sample matrices.

• Assay 24 samples in triplicate or 36 samples in duplicate
• Measure 5-methyl-2'-deoxy cytidine levels down to three ng/ml
• Read: Colorimetric at 405 to 420 nm

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic process regulating gene expression. Methylation occurs on carbon 5 of 2'-deoxy-cytidine yielding the modified base 5-methyl-2'-deoxy cytidine. The methylation pattern of cells is tightly regulated during development with the methylation profile being transmitted from parent to daughter cells during cell division.

Methylation results in long-term silencing of genes, while unmethylated regions of DNA can be actively transcribed. Global changes in methylation can be quantified by measuring plasma or urinary levels of 5-methyl-2'-deoxy cytidine. These changes in methylation can provide valuable information about cancer status of an individual. For example, patients with leukemia excrete significantly elevated levels of 5-methyl-2'-deoxy cytidine compared to healthy individuals.

Global methylation within tissues can be measured in a similar manner, allowing study of tissue-specific changes that occur as a result of differentiation, aging, or carcinogenesis. Cayman’s DNA Methylation ELISA Kit is a competitive assay that can be used for the quantification of 5-methyl-2'-deoxy cytidine in urine, culture supernatants, plasma, and other sample matrices.