SELECTIVE OXIDATION OF 5-METHYLCYTOSINE BY TET-FAMILY PROTEINS
The present invention provides for novel methods for regulating and detecting the cytosine methylation status of DNA. The invention is based upon identification of a novel and surprising catalytic activity for the family of TET proteins, namely TET1, TET2, TET3, and CXXC4. The novel activity is related to the enzymes being capable of converting the cytosine nucleotide 5-methylcytosine into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine by hydroxylation.
1 . A kit comprising purified β-glucosyltransferase in a container and a labeled uridine diphosphoglucose in a container.
2 . The kit of claim 1 , further comprising a buffer.
3 . The kit of claim 1 , wherein the labeled uridine diphosphoglucose comprises a radiolabel.
4 . The kit of claim 3 , wherein the radiolabel comprises 14 C or 3 H.