Single-cell genome-wide bisulfite sequencing for assessing epigenetic heterogeneity

Abstract

Single-cell bisulfite sequencing (scBS-seq) allows robust DNA methylation analysis in rare cells and heterogeneous populations. We report a single-cell bisulfite sequencing (scBS-seq) method that can be used to accurately measure DNA methylation at up to 48.4% of CpG sites. Embryonic stem cells grown in serum or in 2i medium displayed epigenetic heterogeneity, with '2i-like' cells present in serum culture. Integration of 12 individual mouse oocyte datasets largely recapitulated the whole DNA methylome, which makes scBS-seq a versatile tool to explore DNA methylation in rare cells and heterogeneous populations.