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Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Targeted DNA Methylation Analysis by Next-generation Sequencing
Published on: February 24, 2015
Sequencing-based methods for detection and quantitation of ribose methylations in RNA
Nicolai Krogh1, Henrik Nielsen1
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract:
Ribose methylation is one of the most abundant RNA modifications and is found in all domains of life and all major classes of RNA (rRNA, tRNA, and mRNA). Ribose methylations are introduced by stand-alone enzymes or by generic enzymes guided to the target by small RNA guides. Recent years have seen the development of several sequencing-based methods for RNA modifications relying on different principles. In this review, we compare mapping and quantitation studies of ribose methylations from yeast and human culture cells. The emphasis is on ribosomal RNA for which the results can be compared to results from RNA fingerprinting and mass spectrometry. One sequencing approach is consistent with these methods and paints a conservative picture of rRNA modifications. Other approaches detect many more sites. Similar discrepancies are found in measurements of modification stoichiometry. The results are discussed in relation to the more challenging task of mapping ribose methylations in mRNA.
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