Katsutoshi Takahashi [1] (takahashi-k@aist.go.jp)
Masayuki Nakazawa [2] (nakazawa@kanazawa-tc.ac.jp)
Yasuo Watanabe [3] (watanabe@infor.kanazawa-it.ac.jp)
[1] Computational Biology Research Center, National Institute of
Advanced Industrial Science and Technology,
Aomi 2-41-6, Koutou-ku, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
[2] Kanazawa Technical College,
Hisayasu 2-270, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 921-8601, Japan
[3] Kanazawa Institute of Technology,
Ohgigaoka 7-1, Nonoichi, Ishikawa 921-8501, Japan
DNA methylation occurring within the context of CpG site in the promoter element generally correlates with transcriptional silencing, delayed replication, condensed chromatin and mammalian genome imprinting [2]. We have been focusing attention on Restriction Landmark Genomic Scanning (RLGS) method as the powerful experimental procedure which can used to determine DNA methylation status change occurring on a genome simultaneously. To support systematic analysis with RLGS method, we have developed the automated processing algorithms for two-dimensional electrophoretograms of genomic DNA based on RLGS method (RLGS profile). Our powerful processing algorithms realize the automated spot recognition from RLGS profiles and the automated comparison of a huge number of such profiles. To make systematic RLGS analysis more easy and objective, we equipped our automated RLGS image processing algorithms with a WWW interface and relational database which stores the RLGS profile images together with their accompanying information, such as DNA sample specification, two-dimensional electrophoresis conditions and so forth. The web based RLGS image processing system "DNAinsight" can be accessed via URL http://www.methylome.jp/DNAinsight/.