Maternal folate depletion and high-fat feeding from weaning affects DNA methylation and DNA repair in brain of adult offspring

Sabine A S Langie*, Sebastian Achterfeldt, Joanna P. Gorniak, Kirstin J A Halley-Hogg, David Oxley, Frederik J. Van Schooten, Roger W L Godschalk, Jill A. McKay, John C. Mathers

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The mechanisms through which environmental and dietary factors modulate DNA repair are still unclear but may include dysregulation of gene expression due to altered epigenetic markings. In a mouse model, we investigated the effect of maternal folate depletion during pregnancy and lactation, and high-fat feeding from weaning, on base excision repair (BER) and DNA methylation and expression of selected BER-related genes in the brain of adult offspring. While folate depletion did not affect BER activity of the mothers, BER increased in the offspring at weaning (P=0.052). In the long term, as observed in 6-mo-old offspring, the double insult, i.e., maternal low-folate supply and high-fat feeding from weaning, decreased BER activity significantly in the cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, and subcortical regions (P<0.017). This fall in BER activity was associated with small changes in methylation or expression of BERrelated genes. Maternal folate depletion led to slightly increased oxidative DNA damage levels in subcortical regions of adult offspring, which may increase sensitivity to oxidative stress and predispose to neurological disorders. In summary, our data suggest that low-folate supply during early life may leave an epigenetic mark that can predispose the offspring to further dietary insults, causing adverse effects during adult life.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3323-3334
Number of pages12
JournalFASEB Journal
Volume27
Issue number8
Early online date19 Apr 2013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2013
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Maternal folate depletion and high-fat feeding from weaning affects DNA methylation and DNA repair in brain of adult offspring'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this