Discussion
The application of MBD2 enabled fractionation of plant gDNA. The effectiveness was particularly striking for monocot gDNA (Poaceae). When sufficiently effective on a sample, this approach can increase the cost efficiency of sequencing plant genomes as well as prokaryotes living in or on plant tissues.
Methods
MBD2 has been used to enrich prokaryotic DNA in animal systems. Using gDNA from five model angiosperm species, we apply a similar approach to identify whether MBD2 can fractionate plant gDNA into methyl-CpG-depleted vs. enriched methyl-CpG elements. For each sample, three gDNA libraries were sequenced: (1) untreated gDNA, (2) a methyl-CpG-depleted fraction, and (3) a methyl-CpG-enriched fraction. •
Results
Relative to untreated gDNA, the methyl-depleted libraries showed a 3.2-11.2-fold and 3.4-11.3-fold increase in chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), respectively. Methyl-enriched fractions showed a 1.8-31.3-fold and 1.3-29.0-fold decrease in cpDNA and mtDNA, respectively. •