title: Epigenome-Wide DNA Methylation Analysis of Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Diurnal Preference.
abstract: Diurnal preference is an individual's preference for daily activities and sleep timing and is strongly correlated with the underlying circadian clock and the sleep-wake cycle validating its use as an indirect circadian measure in humans. Recent research has implicated DNA methylation as a mechanism involved in the regulation of the circadian clock system in humans and other mammals. In order to evaluate the extent of epigenetic differences associated with diurnal preference, we examined genome-wide patterns of DNA methylation in DNA from monozygotic (MZ) twin-pairs discordant for diurnal preference. MZ twins were selected from a longitudinal twin study designed to investigate the interplay of genetic and environmental factors in the development of emotional and behavioral difficulties. Fifteen pairs of MZ twins were identified in which one member scored considerably higher on the Horne-Ostberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) than the other. Genome-wide DNA methylation patterns were assessed in twins' buccal cell DNA using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChips. Quality control and data pre-processing was undertaken using the wateRmelon package. Differentially methylated probes (DMPs) were identified using an analysis strategy taking into account both the significance and the magnitude of DNA methylation differences. Our data indicate that DNA methylation differences are detectable in MZ twins discordant for diurnal preference. Moreover, downstream gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis on the top-ranked diurnal preference associated DMPs revealed significant enrichment of pathways that have been previously associated with circadian rhythm regulation, including cell adhesion processes and calcium ion binding.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry,Psychology & Neuroscience,King's College London,MRC Social,Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre,London,UK.
authors.forename: Chloe C Y
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Mammalian Genetics Unit,MRC Harwell,Harwell Science and Innovation Campus,Oxfordshire,UK.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry,Psychology & Neuroscience,King's College London,MRC Social,Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre,London,UK.
authors.forename: Kathryn J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Lester
authors.affiliation: University of Exeter Medical School,University of Exeter,Exeter,UK.
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burrage
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry,Psychology & Neuroscience,King's College London,MRC Social,Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre,London,UK.
authors.forename: Thalia C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Eley
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry,Psychology & Neuroscience,King's College London,MRC Social,Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre,London,UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mill
authors.affiliation: University of Exeter Medical School,University of Exeter,Exeter,UK.
authors.forename: Emma L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Dempster
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology,Goldsmiths,University of London,London,UK.
authors.forename: Alice M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gregory
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: DNA methylation; circadian rhythm; diurnal preference; epigenetics; monozygotic twins