Analytical Sciences

Effect of DNA Methylation on the Velocity of DNA Translocation through a Nanochannel

Xiaoyin SUN,*1,*2 Takao YASUI,*1,*2,*3 Takeshi YANAGIDA,*4,*5 Noritada KAJI,*1,*2,*3 Sakon RAHONG,*1,*2 Masaki KANAI,*4 Kazuki NAGASHIMA,*4 Tomoji KAWAI,*5 and Yoshinobu BABA*1,*2,*6

*1 Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
*2 ImPACT Research Center for Advanced Nanobiodevices, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
*3 Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), PRESTO, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
*4 Institute of Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University, 6-1 Kasuga-Koen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
*5 Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka-cho, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan
*6 Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Takamatsu 761-0395, Japan

Here, we report the effect of DNA methylation on the velocity of DNA translocation through a nanochannel, as determined by measuring differences in translocation velocities between methylated and non-methylated DNA molecules. We found that the velocity of translocation of methylated DNA was faster than that of non-methylated DNA, which we attributed to variation in the coefficients of diffusion and friction with the nanochannel wall, due to the increased molecular weight and stiffness, respectively, of methylated DNA.

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