Max-planck-gesellschaft Zur F&#xf6;rderung Der Wissenschaften E. V.

Tel Aviv University

Technion Research & Development Foundation Ltd

Rwth Aachen

Rheinisch-westfälische Technische Hochschule (rwth) Aaachen

Institute of Biotechnology

Elmar Weinhold

Yuval Ebenstein

Assaf Grunwald

Thomas Meier

Rainer Schmuck

Christine Markert-Hahn

Saulius Klimasauskas

Amit Meller

Tal Gilboa

Christian Dalhoff

Tslil Gabrieli

Hartmut Düfel

Grazvydas Lukinavicius

Marc Pignot

Chen Torfstein

Yael Michaeli-Hoch

G Lukinavicius

Methods and kits for detecting the presence of at least one target DNA sequence with or without a modification in a DNA molecule are provided.

Methods of detecting modified and unmodified DNA

A method of diagnosing a disease associated with a DNA repeat sequence is disclosed. The method comprises:

Analysis of methylation status and copy number

A method for detecting sequence specific methylation in a biomolecule, comprising: (a) contacting the biomolecule with an S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferase in the presence of a detectable cofactor of said methyltransferase; and (b) detecting whether the recognition sequence of said methyltransferase has been modified with the cofactor or a derivative thereof, wherein modification of the recognition sequence of said methyltransferase is indicative of an absence of methylation at said recognition sequence. Also disclosed is a cofactor specific for S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferases, wherein said cofactor is an N-adenosylaziridine derivative with a reporter group attached to the 6 or 7 position of the adenine ring or attached to the aziridine ring. A complex of the cofactor and a methyltransferase a composition comprising the cofactor or the complex and the use of the cofactor or the complex for detecting sequence-specific methylation in DNA molecules are also disclosed.

Sequence-specific detection of methylation in biomolecules

S-Adenosyl-L-methionine analogs of formula (I): are disclosed wherein R comprises a carbon-carbon double bond, carbon-sulfur double bond, carbon-nitrogen double bond, -a carbon-carbon triple bond, carbon-nitrogen triple bond or an aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic system in &#x3b2;-position to the sulfonium center, Xis an organic or inorganic anion carrying one or more negative charges, Z is &#x2014;CRR&#x2014;, &#x2014;O&#x2014;, &#x2014;S&#x2014; or &#x2014;NR&#x2014; and R, Rand Rare independently selected from H, D and C&#x2014;C alkyl; as well as complexes with a methyltransferase, pharmaceutical compositions, methods for modifying a biomolecule, and methods for detecting sequences specific methylation of biomolecules.

S-adenosyl-L-methionine analogs with extended activated groups for transfer by methyltransferases

Aziridine derivatives of formula (I)are disclosed which can be used as cofactor for S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferases.

Aziridine compounds and methods of making and using them

Growing community of inventors

Aachen, Germany

Elmar Weinhold