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High vs. Low Responders to Exercise: Role of Epigenetic Modifications in Altering PGC1α Gene Expression and Intramyocellular Lipid Content in Skeletal Muscle
Author(s) -
Taylor Erin,
Covington Jeffrey,
Galgani Jose,
Ravussin Eric,
Bajpeyi Sudip,
Henagan Tara
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.675.20
Subject(s) - dna methylation , epigenetics , gene expression , medicine , endocrinology , methylation , skeletal muscle , biology , gene , genetics
Interindividual responses to exercise training exist in PGC1α gene expression and may be due to plasticity of epigenetic modifications. Here, we determined if exercise‐induced variation in PGC1 α DNA methylation was associated with interindividual responses in ‐1N position, gene expression and intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) content. Sedentary, lean men (n=15, aged 24±1 yrs, BMI 23.8±0.4) underwent an acute bout of exercise (50% VO 2 max, ~650 kcal). Muscle biopsies were taken before and immediately after exercise. PGC1 α DNA methylation of the regulatory ‐260 nucleotide (nt) and ‐1N position were determined in duplicate via pyrosequencing and scanning PCR, respectively. PGC1 α expression was measured by qRT‐PCR and IMCL via BODIPY staining. Subjects were divided into high (change in DNA methylation percentage 蠄 0; N=7) or low (change in DNA methylation percentage > 0; N=8) responders. High but not low responders exhibited repositioning of the ‐1N away from the ‐260nt, showed a significant increase in PGC1α expression (P = 0.03) and tended to have decreased IMCL content (P = 0.17). Exercise–induced DNA hypomethylation at the PGC1α ‐260nt and repositioning of the ‐1N upstream of the regulatory ‐260nt are linked to increased gene expression and possibly decreased IMCL content. Epigenetic regulation of PGC1 α may contribute to interindividual responsiveness to exercise training.