Article
Genetics & Heredity
Dario Galanti, Daniela Ramos-Cruz, Adam Nunn, Isaac Rodriguez-Arevalo, J. F. Scheepens, Claude Becker, Oliver Bossdorf
Summary: Natural epigenetic variation in Thlaspi arvense is significantly associated with both DNA sequence and environment of origin. Genetic variation is generally a stronger predictor of DNA methylation variation, but the strength of environmental association varies between different sequence contexts. Epigenetic variation may play a role in the short-term climate adaptation of pennycress.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nichole Nidey, Katherine Bowers, Lili Ding, Hong Ji, Robert T. Ammerman, Kimberly Yolton, E. Melinda Mahabee-Gittens, Alonzo T. Folger
Summary: This study investigated the effects of in-utero exposure to maternal smoking on DNA methylation of AVPR1a gene in infants. The findings suggest that infants with in-utero exposure to maternal smoking have reduced DNA methylation at AVPR1a CpG sites.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
C. Gomez-Martin, E. Aparicio-Puerta, J. M. Medina, Guillermo Barturen, J. L. Oliver, M. Hackenberg
Summary: Genetic variation, gene expression, and DNA methylation influence each other in a complex way. The geno(5)mC database is created to study the impact of sequence variation and DNA methylation on gene expression. By analyzing SNP-CpG associations and correlations with gene expression levels, previously unknown interactions between disease-associated SNPs and their functional targets can be inferred.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bernice Sepers, Rebecca Shuhua Chen, Michelle Memelink, Koen J. F. Verhoeven, Kees van Oers
Summary: As environmental fluctuations become more frequent, organisms need to adapt quickly to changes caused by humans, climate, and ecology. Epigenetic modifications, specifically DNA methylation, play a role in shaping a organism's phenotypic responses during development. While studies have shown that environmentally induced DNA methylation changes occur, we have limited understanding of the proportion of the epigenome affected by environmental factors compared to genetic variation. In this study, using a partial cross-foster design in a great tit population, we found that common origin explained the variance in DNA methylation in 8,315 CpG sites while common rearing environment only explained 101 sites. Furthermore, we identified quantitative trait loci for the CpG sites related to brood origin, with 754 cis and 4,202 trans methylation quantitative trait loci involving 24% of the CpG sites. These findings suggest that the influence of environmentally induced methylation marks, independent of genotype, is limited and that genetic factors play a larger role in determining DNA methylation variation early in life.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
William A. Pastor, Sin Young Kwon
Summary: The placenta has a unique methylome compared to somatic cell types, featuring low DNA methylation, partially methylated domains, and methylation of CpG islands important in somatic development. Similar phenomena are observed in human cancers, suggesting similarities between placental epigenome formation and cancer. The placenta also has an expanded set of imprinted genes formed through distinctive developmental pathways. Recent discoveries shed light on how the unusual placental epigenetic state may arise, but key questions remain unresolved.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Kate M. Bermingham, Lorraine Brennan, Ricardo Segurado, Rebecca E. Barron, Eileen R. Gibney, Miriam F. Ryan, Michael J. Gibney, Aifric M. O'Sullivan
Summary: This study identified stable metabolomic regions by measuring H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) urinary metabolomic profiles in twins, showing that 20% of the metabolome remains stable over a 2-month period. Genetic and environmental factors were found to contribute to the stability of the urinary NMR metabolome, with 91% of individuals demonstrating good metabolomic conservation indices.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiuxia Song, Ziliang Wang, Zhaofeng Zhang, Maohua Miao, Junwei Liu, Min Luan, Jing Du, Hong Liang, Wei Yuan
Summary: The study found that prenatal exposure to BPA may alter DNA methylation levels in the placenta, providing further insight into the potential impact of BPA on fetal health.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Charley Xia, Sarah J. Pickett, David C. M. Liewald, Alexander Weiss, Gavin Hudson, W. David Hill
Summary: Neuroticism is a heritable trait influenced by mitochondrial DNA, and associations between mitochondrial haplogroups and genetic variation have been found. The study reveals the links between neuroticism and various facets, as well as the relationships between mitochondrial genetic variation and overall health.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Poojitha Rajasekar, Jamie Patel, Rachel L. Clifford
Summary: Fibroblasts are essential in connective tissue for tissue structure and immune functions. DNA methylation plays a role in cellular phenotypes and cellular memory. Lung fibroblast populations are heterogeneous, with various mesenchymal populations identified in health and lung disease.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Leticia P. Sanglard, Larry A. Kuehn, Warren M. Snelling, Matthew L. Spangler
Summary: This study investigated the genetic and non-genetic factors associated with mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA CN) in a beef cattle population, revealing that a significant portion of mtDNA CN variation is under genetic control, while non-genetic factors such as tissue type, age, and sex also play a significant role in influencing mtDNA CN.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jennifer L. Cohen, Pranesh Chakraborty, Karen Fung-Kee-Fung, Marisa E. Schwab, Deeksha Bali, Sarah P. Young, Michael H. Gelb, Hamid Khaledi, Alicia DiBattista, Stacey Smallshaw, Felipe Moretti, Derek Wong, Catherine Lacroix, Dina El Demellawy, Kyle C. Strickland, Jane Lougheed, Anita Moon-Grady, Billie R. Lianoglou, Paul Harmatz, Priya S. Kishnani, Tippi C. MacKenzie
Summary: In utero enzyme-replacement therapy (ERT) showed safety and efficacy in a fetus with CRIM-negative infantile-onset Pompe's disease, resulting in normal cardiac and motor function postnatally.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Joshua S. Danoff, Kelly L. Wroblewski, Andrew J. Graves, Graham C. Quinn, Allison M. Perkeybile, William M. Kenkel, Travis S. Lillard, Hardik I. Parikh, Hudson F. Golino, Simon G. Gregory, C. Sue Carter, Karen L. Bales, Jessica J. Connelly
Summary: The neuropeptide oxytocin plays a crucial role in regulating mammalian social behavior, with disruptions in oxytocin signaling being associated with various psychopathologies. Studies focusing on DNA methylation at the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) have identified specific regions, exon 3 and MT2, as important in regulating OXTR gene expression. Using the prairie vole as a model, research has shown that early life experiences, particularly parental care, affect DNA methylation in MT2 and exon 3 of Oxtr, with MT2 methylation being more closely associated with Oxtr gene expression. Additionally, novel regulatory features of Oxtr in prairie voles, such as SNPs and alternative transcripts, have been identified, further establishing the prairie vole as a valuable model for studying OXTR in human social behaviors and disorders.
CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Radhika Mathur, Joseph F. Costello
Summary: Two studies have characterized patterns of DNA methylation and gene expression in single cells to reveal the epigenomic underpinnings of cellular heterogeneity and plasticity in detail, providing mechanistic insight into cellular transitions between stem-like and differentiated-like states.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paulina Jedynak, Lucile Broseus, Jorg Tost, Florence Busato, Stephan Gabet, Cathrine Thomsen, Amrit K. Sakhi, Isabelle Pin, Remy Slama, Johanna Lepeule, Claire Philippat
Summary: A previous study found positive associations between maternal urinary concentrations of triclosan and placental DNA methylation in male fetuses. This study aimed to validate and expand on these findings by examining triclosan exposure and placental DNA methylation in a cohort of male and female fetuses. The results confirmed associations between triclosan and certain genes in both sexes, with the majority of associations being positive and mapping to imprinted genes. The study also identified mediation effects of placental tissue heterogeneity on the associations. In conclusion, triclosan exposure is associated with placental DNA methylation, particularly in imprinted genes.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sanne D. D. van Otterdijk, Hagen Klett, Melanie Boerries, Karin B. B. Michels
Summary: This study examines the influence of folate and S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) on placental DNA methylation. The study finds that maintaining sufficient levels of folate and SAM is particularly important for individuals carrying the MTHFR C677T polymorphism. The MTHFR genotype is associated with DNA methylation.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Tsegaselassie Workalemahu, Daniel A. Enquobahrie, Bizu Gelaye, Mahlet G. Tadesse, Sixto E. Sanchez, Fasil Tekola-Ayele, Anjum Hajat, Timothy A. Thornton, Cande Ananth, Michelle A. Williams
Summary: This study investigated the role of maternal-fetal genetic interactions and parent-of-origin effects in placental abruption (PA). The results identified novel interactions between maternal-fetal mitochondrial biogenesis genes and imprinting effects that highlight the role of the fetus in PA risk development.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Tsegaselassie Workalemahu, Mohammad L. Rahman, Marion Ouidir, Jing Wu, Cuilin Zhang, Fasil Tekola-Ayele
Summary: This study found that pregnant women's genetic susceptibility to high blood pressure contributes to reduced fetal growth, with differences observed in the association between blood pressure risk scores and estimated fetal weight among different racial groups.
JOURNAL OF HUMAN HYPERTENSION
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Marion Ouidir, Xuehuo Zeng, Suvo Chatterjee, Cuilin Zhang, Fasil Tekola-Ayele
Summary: This study investigated the associations between genetic risk scores for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and fetal weight and birth weight. The results showed that among European Americans, higher T2D genetic risk scores were associated with increased fetal weight and birth weight. However, no similar associations were found in non-Europeans.
Meeting Abstract
Genetics & Heredity
Haleema Saeed, Xuehuo Zeng, Suvo Chatterjee, Ayele Tekola-Ayele
GENETICS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Suvo Chatterjee, Xuehuo Zeng, Marion Ouidir, Markos Tesfaye, Cuilin Zhang, Fasil Tekola-Ayele
Summary: This study revealed sex-specific differences in human placental gene expression and molecular pathways associated with small for gestational age at birth (SGA). It emphasizes the importance of considering fetal sex as a biological variable when unraveling the pathogenesis of SGA.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fasil Tekola-Ayele, Xuehuo Zeng, Suvo Chatterjee, Marion Ouidir, Corina Lesseur, Ke Hao, Jia Chen, Markos Tesfaye, Carmen J. Marsit, Tsegaselassie Workalemahu, Ronald Wapner
Summary: Abnormal birthweight is associated with increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases in later life. This study integrated placental methylation and gene expression data with genetic loci associated with birthweight to identify functional genes involved in fetal growth regulation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sifang Kathy Zhao, Edwina H. Yeung, Marion Ouidir, Stefanie N. Hinkle, Katherine L. Grantz, Susanna D. Mitro, Jing Wu, Danielle R. Stevens, Suvo Chatterjee, Fasil Tekola-Ayele, Cuilin Zhang
Summary: This study evaluated the association between physical activity before and during pregnancy and placental DNA methylation. The findings indicated that recreational physical activity prior to and during pregnancy was associated with placental DNA methylation, and the specific CpG sites varied based on the timing of physical activity.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Yassaman Vafai, Edwina Yeung, Anindya Roy, Dian He, Mengying Li, Stefanie N. Hinkle, William A. Grobman, Roger Newman, Jessica L. Gleason, Fasil Tekola-Ayele, Cuilin Zhang, Katherine L. Grantz
Summary: In this study, the association between prenatal supplementation of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid and fetal growth trajectories was examined. The results show that supplementation of these fatty acids in the first trimester is associated with significant increases in fetal growth, specifically greater estimated fetal abdominal circumference in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Tsegaselassie Workalemahu, Jessica M. Page, Huong Meeks, Zhe Yu, Emily Guinto, Alison Fraser, Michael W. Varner, Lauren H. Theilen, Aaron Quinlan, Hilary Coon, Daniel A. Enquobahrie, Cande V. Ananth, Fasil Tekola-Ayele, Lynn B. Jorde, Robert M. Silver
Summary: This study identifies familial aggregation of stillbirth and quantifies its familial risk. It also reveals gender-specific risks associated with affected parents. These findings suggest the need for research on genes related to stillbirth and large-scale studies to determine the genetic architecture of stillbirth.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marion Ouidir, Suvo Chatterjee, Jing Wu, Fasil Tekola-Ayele
Summary: This study aimed to identify genetic loci associated with blood lipid levels in pregnant women from diverse ancestry groups and evaluate the transferability of lipid loci identified in predominantly European adults. The results of the trans-ancestry GWAS meta-analysis identified genetic loci associated with blood lipid levels in pregnant women. However, only a small percentage of the previously known adult lipid loci were transferable to pregnant women.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LIPIDOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lucille Joanna S. Borlaza, Gaelle Uzu, Marion Ouidir, Sarah Lyon-Caen, Anouk Marsal, Samuel Weber, Valerie Siroux, Johanna Lepeule, Anne Boudier, Jean-Luc Jaffrezo, Remy Slama
Summary: This study investigated the association between oxidative potential (OP) and birth outcomes in relation to personal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The results showed that personal OP exposure was associated with fetal growth restrictions, specifically decreased weight and height at birth, possibly to a larger extent than PM2.5 mass concentration alone.
JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)