scNMT-seq enables joint profiling of chromatin accessibility DNA methylation and transcription in single cells

Nat Commun. 2018 Feb 22;9(1):781. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-03149-4.

Abstract

Parallel single-cell sequencing protocols represent powerful methods for investigating regulatory relationships, including epigenome-transcriptome interactions. Here, we report a single-cell method for parallel chromatin accessibility, DNA methylation and transcriptome profiling. scNMT-seq (single-cell nucleosome, methylation and transcription sequencing) uses a GpC methyltransferase to label open chromatin followed by bisulfite and RNA sequencing. We validate scNMT-seq by applying it to differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells, finding links between all three molecular layers and revealing dynamic coupling between epigenomic layers during differentiation.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Chromatin / metabolism*
  • DNA Methylation
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Nucleosomes / genetics
  • Nucleosomes / metabolism*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods*
  • Single-Cell Analysis
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Histones
  • Nucleosomes