Premium
The effects of methyl‐donor deficiency on the pattern of gene expression in mice
Author(s) -
Glen Colin D.,
McVeigh Laura E.,
Voutounou Mariel,
Dubrova Yuri E.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
molecular nutrition and food research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.495
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1613-4133
pISSN - 1613-4125
DOI - 10.1002/mnfr.201400660
Subject(s) - gene expression , gene , expression (computer science) , biology , genetics , medicine , computer science , programming language
Scope Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most frequently occurring cancers in humans. Recent human and animal studies have provided strong evidence for the effects of dietary deficiency of methyl donors on the development of liver cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of methyl‐group deficiency on cancer risk are not properly understood. Methods and results Male BALB/c and CBA/Ca mice were maintained for 8 weeks on a synthetic diet lacking in choline and folic acid. Using microarrays, the pattern of gene expression was evaluated in their liver, kidney, and spleen. Methyl‐donor deficient diet induced profound changes in gene expression in the liver of treated animals, whereas the effects of the methyl‐deficient diet on the pattern of gene expression in the kidney and spleen were negligible. Methyl‐donor dietary restriction induced strain‐independent upregulation of genes involved in cellular proliferation in liver. Conclusion The results of our study provide a plausible explanation of why diets lacking methyl donors can induce the development of liver cancers in rodents and humans.