Detecting DNaseI-Hypersensitivity Sites with MLPA

DNaseI-hypersensitive sites within chromatin are indicative of genomic loci with regulatory function. Several techniques have been described for analyzing these regions, but are either laborious, offer low-throughput possibilities, or are expensive. We have developed a new approach based on a modified version of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Using this method, it is possible to analyse up to 50 defined genomic regions for DNaseI-hypersensitivity in a single PCR-based reaction. This chapter outlines the approach and discusses the critical features of each step of the procedure.