Abstract
Global and gene-specific variation in DNA methylation has been observed between human populations. However, to our knowledge, differences in DNA methylation between South African ethnic groups have not been reported before. The present study aimed to determine if there was differential methylation in previously reported gene-specific markers between four groups. Saliva was collected from 42 healthy individuals, belonging to Black, Indian, White and Coloured ethnicities. A multiplex Methylation-Sensitive Restriction Enzyme (MSRE)- PCR assay was used to determine methylation levels of CpG sites in the USP49, DACT1, L81528 and PFN3 genes. The Coloured ethnic group displayed highest methylation levels for all selected markers, whereas the Black ethnic group showed lowest. DACT1 and L81528 markers displayed significant variations between ethnic groups (p=0.02 and p=0.03, respectively). Differences in DNA methylation levels between populations all over the world could potentially assist forensic analysts to accurately narrow down the search to ethnicity of sample donors as well as aid medical scientists in personalised medicine.
Citation
Kader F, Ghai M and Zhou M. Gene-Specific Differential Methylation in South African Ethnic Groups: A Preliminary Study. SM J Forensic Res Criminol. 2017; 1(1): 1005.