Can DNA methylation be studied in saliva samples?

DNA methylation involves incorporating methyl groups into the DNA, this process transforms the function of the DNA when it encounters the promoter gene. Naturally, it serves to repress gene transcription.

It is worth noting that blood samples have conventionally been used to carry out epigenetic studies.Instead, it has been found that due to its ease of collection, its standardized format for automation of processing, and being a non-invasive and painless method, the collection of saliva samples has great advantages; both for the standardization of the donor's DNA and for the researcher himself.

Likewise, numerous studies have been carried out comparing blood and saliva samples, with the aim of verifying the high performance of the latter for finding DNA methylation patterns. The results of these studies verify the high correlation between both samples.

Therefore, the collection of DNA from saliva samples is not only comparable to blood samples for use in genetic studies, but also serves for epigenome research and more specifically for DNA methylation.

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