Gene-expression analysis after alcohol exposure in the developing mouse.
Exposure to alcohol in the embryonic mouse can lead to structural and neurophysiologic changes. The cause of these changes is poorly understood, but they are likely the result of numerous mechanisms. Here we investigate ethanol-induced alterations in gene expression in the fetal brain. Using complementary-DNA microarrays, we identified 25 genes that were down-regulated by prenatal ethanol exposure on days 7 and 9 of gestation. None were found to be up-regulated. Of those that were repressed, 6 (Timp4, Bmp15, Rnf25, Akt1, Tulp4, Dexras1) have been identified, and they are discussed here in the context of the developing fetus. The identified genes have been shown to be involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and they contribute to tissue growth and remodeling, as well as neuronal growth and survival. Microarray studies may be useful in the identification of a genetic marker for fetal alcohol syndrome, the discovery of novel pathways that may be involved in its origin, or both.
Hard
Marjie L
ML
The Hospital for Sick Children, the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.
Abdolell
Mohamed
M
Robinson
Brian H
BH
Koren
Gideon
G
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000633:toxicity*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects*; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D005819:Genetic Markers; D000431:Ethanol