title: Human embryonic stem cell methyl cycle enzyme expression: modelling epigenetic programming in assisted reproduction?
abstract: To investigate a possible mechanism for inducing epigenetic defects in the preimplantation embryo, a human embryonic stem cell model was developed, and gene expression of the key methyl cycle enzymes, MAT2A, MAT2B, GNMT, SAHH, CBS, CGL, MTR, MTRR, BHMT, BHMT2, mSHMT, cSHMT and MTHFR was demonstrated, while MAT1 was barely detectable. Several potential acceptors of cycle-generated methyl groups, the DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B and DNMT3L), glycine methyltransferase and the polyamine biosynthetic enzymes, SAM decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase, were also expressed. Expression of folate receptor alpha suggests a propensity for folate metabolism. Methotrexate-induced depletion of folate resulted in elevated intracellular homocysteine concentration after 7 days in culture and a concomitant increase in cysteine and glutathione, indicating clearance of homocysteine through the transulphuration pathway. These studies indicate that altered methyl group metabolism provides a potential mechanism for inducing epigenetic changes in the preimplantation embryo.
authors.affiliation: Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Allegrucci
authors.forename: Ravinder
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Priddle
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Denning
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015254:DNA Modification Methylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology; D004798:Enzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000494:pharmacology; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists; D006710:Homocysteine; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine; D005492:Folic Acid; D015254:DNA Modification Methylases; D008727:Methotrexate