Light-driven probe enables sensitive detection of epigenetic intermediates

Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation play a key role in regulating gene expression. Emerging evidence suggests that intermediates generated during DNA demethylation may have distinct biological roles. However, their detection remains difficult due to their low abundance. Now, Japanese researchers have developed a novel light-sensitive oligonucleotide probe that selectively cross-links with 5-formylcytosine, an epigenetically important intermediate, enabling its detection in target DNA and complex biological samples.