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Epigenetic programming of neuroendocrine systems during early life
Author(s) -
Murgatroyd Chris
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
experimental physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0958-0670
DOI - 10.1113/expphysiol.2013.076141
Subject(s) - epigenetics , dna methylation , reprogramming , biology , methylation , enhancer , cpg site , gene expression , gene , regulation of gene expression , vasopressin , epigenomics , genetics
New findings• What is the topic of this review? Behavioural epigenetics and its role in early‐life programming and adaptation is allowing us to understand how psychiatric diseases can develop through interactions of genes and environments. • What advances does it highlight? The ability of methyl of Methyl‐CpG binding protein 2 to regulate Avp gene expression, in response to early‐life stress, and induce DNA methylation, occurs through the recruitment of components of the epigenetic machinery.Arginine vasopressin plays a pivotal role in the control of long‐lasting effects of early‐life stress on the brain. We previously reported that maternal separation in mice persistently upregulates Avp gene expression associated with reduced DNA methylation of a region in the Avp enhancer. This early‐life stress‐responsive region serves as a binding site for the methyl‐CpG binding protein 2, which in turn is controlled through neuronal activity. We also found that the ability of methyl‐CpG binding protein 2 to regulate transcription of the Avp gene and induce DNA methylation occured through the recruitment of components of the epigenetic machinery. Understanding the sequential events involved in the epigenetic regulation of a gene should allow for targeted approaches aimed at reprogramming expression during development and possibly later life.