Methylated Bases as Tumor Markers: Detection and Quantitation with a Competitive Enzyme-linked Immunoassay

Abstract

Modified bases can be considered as tumor markers and their concentration in urine is usually measured by high performance liquid chromatography. A simpler procedure, allowing numerous samples to be simultaneously treated, would facilitate the monitoring of the concentration of these molecules in biological fluids. Radioimmunoassays have often been utilized to detect methylated bases in nucleic acids but radlolabelled molecules restrict the use of such procedures to authorized laboratories. A two step enzyme-linked immunoassay was then developed, the sensitivity of which allowed the detection and quantitation of 5 methylcytidine and 7 methylguanosine in solution at the plcomole level.

Key Words:

• methylated bases
• antibodies
• EIA