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Epigenetic dysregulation of dopaminergic genes in eating disorders
Author(s) -
Frieling Helge,
Römer Konstanze D.,
Scholz Sarah,
Mittelbach Franziska,
Wilhelm Julia,
De Zwaan Martina,
Jacoby Georg E.,
Kornhuber Johannes,
Hillemacher Thomas,
Bleich Stefan
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.20745
Subject(s) - epigenetics , dna methylation , dopaminergic , dopamine transporter , methylation , dopamine , bulimia nervosa , medicine , eating disorders , biology , gene expression , endocrinology , gene , psychology , genetics , psychiatry
Objective: The pathophysiology of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) has been linked to an impaired dopaminergic neurotransmission, still the origin of this disturbance remains unknown. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to evaluate whether the expression of dopaminergic genes is altered in the blood of patients suffering from eating disorders and if these alterations can be explained by changes in the promoter specific DNA methylation of the genes. Method: We used quantitative real‐time PCR to measure both the expression and the promoter specific DNA methylation of the dopamine transporter (DAT), and the D2 (DRD2) and D4 receptor (DRD4) gene in the blood of 46 patients (22 AN, 24 BN) and 30 healthy controls. Results: Patients showed an elevated expression of DAT mRNA when compared with the controls and a downregulation of the DRD 2 expression. The upregulation of the DAT gene was accompanied by a hypermethylation of the gene's promoter in the AN and BN group while a significant hypermethylation of the DRD 2 promoter was only present in the AN group. No differences in expression or methylation were found for the other dopamine receptors investigated. Discussion: Our study shows a disturbed expression of dopaminergic genes that is accompanied by a dysregulation of the epigenetic DNA methylation. Further studies are necessary to provide more insight into the epigenetic dysregulation of the dopaminergic neurotransmission in the pathophysiology of eating disorders. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2010;)