title: Epigenetic programming of neuroendocrine systems during early life.
abstract: 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 occurred 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.
authors.affiliation: C. Murgatroyd: School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK. c.murgatroyd@mmu.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murgatroyd
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000235:genetics; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000235:genetics; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D048788:Growth and Development / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008426:Maternal Deprivation; D051783:Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D051783:Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin