Product Class: Kit

NEBNext® Enzymatic 5hmC-seq Kit


Catalog #E3350

Product Introduction

NEBNext® Enzymatic 5hmC-seq (E5hmC-seq™) is a new method for the specific detection of 5hmC at the single base level.

5hmC is detected using a two-step enzymatic conversion workflow that minimizes damage to DNA and allows discrimination of 5hmC from both cytosine and 5mC, after Illumina® sequencing. The kit has an input range of 0.1–200 ng and includes NEBNext Ultra™ II library prep reagents and the E5hmC-seq Adaptor.

Note that index primers are not included and must be purchased separately (NEBNext Primers for Epigenetics, NEB #E3392, NEB #E3404).

  • High sensitivity of detection of 5hmC
  • 0.1–200 ng input range
  • Even GC coverage
  • High-efficiency library preparation
  • E5hmC-seq and EM-seq data can be combined
  • Conversion module also available separately (NEB #E3365)

View or download extensive performance data below or in our Data Supplement.

Product Information

Description

View or download extensive performance data below or in our Data Supplement.

Typically, the modified cytosines 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) are detected by sequencing of Illumina libraries generated using the NEBNext EM-seq enzyme-based workflow or bisulfite conversion. However, these methods cannot differentiate between 5mC and 5hmC.

As with EM-seq, NEBNext Enzymatic 5hmC-seq (E5hmC-seq) uses an enzyme-based method to specifically detect 5hmC, without the DNA damage typical of bisulfite-based methods, and this sensitive method can be used with as little as 0.1 ng of input DNA.

In a two-step process, T4-BGT glucosylates 5hmC, providing protection from deamination by APOBEC in the next step. T4-BGT does not protect 5mC or unmethylated cytosines, which are deaminated by APOBEC to uracils. This is followed by amplification using a NEBNext master mix formulation of Q5U® (a modified version of Q5® High-Fidelity DNA Polymerase), and sequencing on the Illumina platform.

Bioinformatic analysis tools used for EM-seq and for bisulfite sequencing can also be used for E5hmC-seq. E5hmC-seq data can be subtracted from EM-seq data, thereby allowing determination of the precise location of individual 5mC and 5hmC sites.

Note that index primers are not included and must be purchased separately (NEBNext Primers for Epigenetics, NEB #E3392, NEB #E3404).

Figure 1: E5hmC-seq conversion method

E5hm Conversion



Figure 2: E5hmC-seq produces high library yields across a broad input range


 E3350 Library Yield
    

200–0.1 ng of human brain genomic DNA, sheared to 350 bp (Covaris® ME220) was used as input into the E5hmC-seq library protocol, using the number of PCR cycles shown. Library yields were determined using the Agilent® TapeStation® with High Sensitivity D1000 reagents. Values shown are the average of 4 technical replicates and error bars are standard deviation. E5hmC-seq consistently produces high-yield libraries across a wide range of inputs.



Figure 3: E5hmC-seq libraries have robust protection of 5hmC

E3350 E5hmC 5hmCProtection

Control T4 DNA that is fully hydroxymethylated at all cytosines was spiked in when preparing E5hmC-seq libraries using 200 ng to 0.1 ng of human brain DNA. DNA was sheared to 350 bp using the Covaris® ME220 instrument, E5hmC-seq libraries were prepared and sequenced on an Illumina® NovaSeq 6000 (2 x 150 bases). Approximately 1.9 billion (200 ng, 10 ng and 1 ng) or 715 million (0.5 ng and 0.1 ng) reads for each library were aligned to a composite human T2T, lambda and T4 reference genome using bwa-meth. Methylation information was extracted from the alignments using MethylDackel. Values shown are the average of two technical replicates and error bars show standard deviation. Percent 5hmC detected for control T4 DNA in the CpG, CHG and CHH contexts was ≥ 98.9%.



Figure 4: 5hmC detected by E5hmC-seq in human brain gDNA is consistent across inputs

E3350 Detected 5hmC

200–0.1 ng of human brain genomic DNA was sheared to 350 bp (Covaris® ME220) and E5hmC-seq  libraries were prepared and sequenced on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 (2 x 150 bases). Approximately 1.9 billion (200 ng, 10 ng and 1 ng) or 715 million (0.5 ng and 0.1 ng) reads for each library were aligned to a composite human T2T, lambda and T4 reference genome using bwa-meth, and methylation information was extracted from the alignments using MethylDackel. Values shown are the average of two technical replicates and error bars show standard deviation. Detected 5hmC levels are similar between all inputs in the CpG, CHH and CHG contexts.     



Figure 5: E5hmC-seq provides even GC coverage

E3350 Uniform CG Coverage

200–0.1 ng of human brain genomic DNA was sheared to 350 bp (Covaris ME220) and E5hmC-seq libraries were prepared and sequenced on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 (2 x 150 bases). Approximately 1.9 billion (200 ng, 10 ng and 1 ng) or 715 million (0.5 ng and 0.1 ng) reads for each library were aligned to a composite human T2T, lambda and T4 reference genome using bwa-meth. GC coverage was analyzed using Picard and the distribution of normalized coverage across different GC contents of the genome (0–100%) was plotted. The GC content distribution of the human T2T genome is plotted as a histogram. E5hmC-seq libraries have uniform GC coverage across the full input range.     



Figure 6: E5hmC-seq exhibits high CpG coverage across a range of inputs

E3350 Coverage Input Range

200–0.1 ng of human brain genomic DNA was sheared to 350 bp (Covaris ME220) and E5hmC-seq libraries were prepared and sequenced on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 (2 x 150 bases). Approximately 1.9 billion (200 ng, 10 ng and 1 ng) or 715 million (0.5 ng and 0.1 ng) reads for each library were aligned to a composite human T2T, lambda and T4 reference genome using bwa-meth. Methylation information was extracted from the alignments using MethylDackel and reported in methylkit format across all three contexts. Using the CpG specific file a cumulative coverage plot was generated for CpG sites covered using E5hmC-seq libraries across all inputs. The T2T genome covers a maximum of 67.8 million CpGs when the top and bottom strands are counted independently. E5hmC-seq covered over 56 million CpG sites for 0.5 ng to 200 ng inputs and roughly 48 million CpG sites for 0.1 ng input libraries.



Figure 7: E5hmC-seq libraries are well correlated at higher sequencing depths

E3350 Correlation Plot

200 ng, 10 ng and 1 ng E5hmC-seq libraries were sequenced to a depth of 1.9 billion total 150-base reads and correlations were plotted using methylKit at 1X minimum coverage (~ 56.5 million CpGs were common to all libraries). Correlations for the 200 ng and 10 ng input libraries were ≥ 0.81 between replicates. E5hmC-seq libraries for 200 ng, 10 ng and 1 ng were progressively downsampled to ~1.5 billion, 1.1 billion, 700 million and 300 million total reads, and correlation analysis was performed. We observed lower correlations across inputs at 300 million and 700 million reads compared to correlations using 1.1, 1.5 and 1.9 billion reads. This demonstrates the need for deeper sequencing of E5hmC-seq libraries due to the lower abundance of 5hmC signal in the sample.



This product is related to the following categories:
Methylome Analysis Products,
Next Generation Sequencing Library Preparation Products,

Kit Components

Kit Components

The following reagents are supplied with this product:

NEB # Component Name Component # Stored at (°C) Amount Concentration
  • E3350S     Multi-temperature    
  • E3350L     Multi-temperature    

Properties & Usage

Materials Required but not Supplied

  • Covaris® instrument and the required tubes or other fragmentation equipment
  • NEBNext Primers for Epigenetics (Unique Dual Index Set 2B) NEB #E3392S (24 reactions) or Set 3 NEB #E3404S (96 reactions)
  • PCR strip tubes or 96-well plates
  • Formamide (Sigma #F9037-100 ml), Hi-Di™ Formamide (Thermo Fisher Scientific® #4401457) or 0.1 N NaOH. Formamide is preferred. If using NaOH, please see FAQ on NEB #E3350 FAQ page.
  • 80% Ethanol
  • 1X TE (10 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 1 mM EDTA), low TE (10 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 0.1 mM EDTA) or 10 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5 or 8.0
  • Nuclease-free Water
  • Magnetic rack/stand, such as NEBNext Magnetic Separation Rack (NEB #S1515)
  • Metal cooling block, such as Diversified Biotech® (#CHAM-1000)
  • PCR machine
  • Agilent® Bioanalyzer®, TapeStation® or other fragment analyzer and associated consumables

Protocols, Manuals & Usage

Protocols

  1. Where can I find protocols for use of the NEBNext® Enzymatic 5hmC-seq Kit? (NEB #E3350)

Manuals

The Product Manual includes details for how to use the product, as well as details of its formulation and quality controls.

Tools & Resources

Web Tools

FAQs & Troubleshooting

FAQs

  1. What types of samples can be processed using the NEBNext® Enzymatic 5hmC-seq Kit (NEB #E3350) and the NEBNext Enzymatic 5hmC-seq Conversion Module (NEB #E3365)?
  2. What are the recommended inputs for the NEBNext® Enzymatic 5hmC-seq Kit (NEB #E3350) and the NEBNext Enzymatic 5hmC-seq Conversion Module (NEB #E3365)?
  3. What is the difference between the NEBNext® Enzymatic 5hmC-seq Kit (NEB #E3350) and the NEBNext Enzymatic 5hmC-seq Conversion Module (NEB #E3365)?
  4. What buffers are recommended for shearing DNA when using the NEBNext Enzymatic 5hmC-seq Kit and the NEBNext 5hmC-seq Conversion Module?
  5. What is the concentration of the E5hmC-seq™ Adaptor and E5hmC-seq Index Primers?
  6. Why, at some stages of the E5hmC-seq™ protocol, do the NEBNext® Sample Purification Beads behave differently when cleaning up the sample?
  7. What is the expected size of an E5hmC-seq™ library?
  8. How should E5hmC-seq™ libraries be sequenced?
  9. How should E5hmC-seq™ sequencing data be analyzed?
  10. How deep should E5hmC-seq™ libraries be sequenced?
  11. Can the E5hmC-seq™ Adaptor be substituted with another adaptor?
  12. Can the E5hmC-seq™ Adaptor be used for EM-seq™?
  13. Are E5hmC-seq™ libraries directional or non-directional?
  14. Can other buffers be used in place of the supplied Elution Buffer?
  15. What levels of conversion are typical with the control DNAs supplied?
  16. Can enzymatically fragmented DNA be used in E5hmC-seq™?
  17. Can I use NaOH (sodium hydroxide) instead of formamide to denature my DNA prior to the deamination reaction step in the E5hmC-seq protocol?
  18. Do E5hmC-seq™ libraries detect 5mC?
  19. Are Sample Sheets available for use with the NEBNext® Primers for Epigenetics?
  20. Are dual-indexed libraries compatible with single end sequencing?

Quality, Safety & Legal

Quality Assurance Statement

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Specifications

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Certificate Of Analysis

The Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a signed document that includes the storage temperature, expiration date and quality controls for an individual lot. The following file naming structure is used to name these document files: [Product Number]_[Size]_[Version]_[Lot Number]

Safety DataSheets

The following is a list of Safety Data Sheet (SDS) that apply to this product to help you use it safely.

Legal and Disclaimers

Products and content are covered by one or more patents, trademarks and/or copyrights owned or controlled by New England Biolabs, Inc (NEB). The use of trademark symbols does not necessarily indicate that the name is trademarked in the country where it is being read; it indicates where the content was originally developed. The use of this product may require the buyer to obtain additional third-party intellectual property rights for certain applications. For more information, please email busdev@neb.com.

This product is intended for research purposes only. This product is not intended to be used for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes in humans or animals.

New England Biolabs (NEB) is committed to practicing ethical science – we believe it is our job as researchers to ask the important questions that when answered will help preserve our quality of life and the world that we live in. However, this research should always be done in safe and ethical manner. Learn more.

Licenses

This product is licensed for research and commercial use from Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., under U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,627,424, 7,541,170, 7,670,808, 7,666,645, and corresponding patents in other countries. No rights are granted for use of the product for Digital PCR or real-time PCR applications, with the exception of quantification in Next Generation Sequencing workflows.