Alterations in methylation and expression levels of imprinted genes H19 and Igf2 in the fetuses of diabetic mice.
The study aimed to reveal alterations in expression and methylation levels of the growth-related imprinted genes H19 and Igf2 in fetuses of diabetic mice. Diabetes was induced in female mice by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. DNA and total RNA were extracted from fetuses obtained from diabetic and control dams on embryonic day (E) 14. Real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that the mRNA expression of Igf2 in fetuses from diabetic mice was 0.65-fold of the control counterparts. Bisulfite genomic sequencing demonstrated that the methylation level of the H19-Igf2 imprint control region was 19.1% higher in diabetic fetuses than in those of control dams. In addition, the body weight of pups born to diabetic dams was 26.5% lower than that of the control group. The results indicate that maternal diabetes can affect fetal development by means of altered expression of imprinted genes. The modified genomic DNA methylation status of imprinting genes may account for the change in gene expression.
Shao
Wei-Juan
WJ
Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, PR China.
Tao
Ling-Yun
LY
Gao
Cheng
C
Xie
Jian-Yun
JY
Zhao
Ru-Qian
RQ
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D018899:CpG Islands; D019175:DNA Methylation; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000235:genetics; D004720:Endonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D006801:Humans; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics*
C094335:H19 long non-coding RNA; C513121:IGF2 protein, mouse; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; D004720:Endonucleases