OPUSeq simplifies detection of low-frequency DNA variants and uncovers fragmentase-associated artifacts.

Alekseenko A, Wang J, Barrett D, Pelechano V

NAR Genomics and Bioinformatics 4 (2) lqac048 [2022-06-00; online 2022-06-27]

Detection of low-frequency DNA variants (below 1%) is becoming increasingly important in biomedical research and clinical practice, but is challenging to do with standard sequencing approaches due to high error rates. The use of double-stranded unique molecular identifiers (dsUMIs) allows correction of errors by comparing reads arising from the same original DNA duplex. However, the implementation of such approaches is still challenging. Here, we present a novel method, one-pot dsUMI sequencing (OPUSeq), which allows incorporation of dsUMIs in the same reaction as the library PCR. This obviates the need for adapter pre-synthesis or additional enzymatic steps. OPUSeq can be incorporated into standard DNA library preparation approaches and coupled with hybridization target capture. We demonstrate successful error correction and detection of variants down to allele frequency of 0.01%. Using OPUSeq, we also show that the use of enzymatic fragmentation can lead to the appearance of spurious double-stranded variants, interfering with detection of variant fractions below 0.1%.

SciLifeLab Fellow

Vicent Pelechano

PubMed 35769342

DOI 10.1093/nargab/lqac048

Crossref 10.1093/nargab/lqac048

pmc: PMC9235115
pii: lqac048


Publications 9.5.0