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Hong Z, Xu Y, Wu J. Bisphenol A: Epigenetic effects on the male reproductive system and male offspring. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 129:108656. [PMID: 39004383 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a commonly used organic compound. Over the past decades, many studies have examined the mechanisms of BPA toxicity, with BPA-induced alterations in epigenetic modifications receiving considerable attention. Particularly in the male reproductive system, abnormal alterations in epigenetic markers can adversely affect reproductive function. Furthermore, these changes in epigenetic markers can be transmitted to offspring through the father. Here, we review the effects of BPA exposure on various epigenetic markers in the male reproductive system, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA, as well as associated changes in the male reproductive function. We also reviewed the effects of father's exposure to BPA on offspring epigenetic modification patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilin Hong
- The center of clinical laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian 362000, PR China.
| | - Yingpei Xu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian 364000, PR China
| | - Jinxiang Wu
- Department of reproductive medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian 362000, PR China.
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2
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Salazar M, Joly S, Anglada-Escudé G, Ribas L. Epigenetic and physiological alterations in zebrafish subjected to hypergravity. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300310. [PMID: 38776274 PMCID: PMC11111069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Gravity is one of the most constant environmental factors across Earth's evolution and all organisms are adapted to it. Consequently, spatial exploration has captured the interest in studying the biological changes that physiological alterations are caused by gravity. In the last two decades, epigenetics has explained how environmental cues can alter gene functions in organisms. Although many studies addressed gravity, the underlying biological and molecular mechanisms that occur in altered gravity for those epigenetics-related mechanisms, are mostly inexistent. The present study addressed the effects of hypergravity on development, behavior, gene expression, and most importantly, on the epigenetic changes in a worldwide animal model, the zebrafish (Danio rerio). To perform hypergravity experiments, a custom-centrifuge simulating the large diameter centrifuge (100 rpm ~ 3 g) was designed and zebrafish embryos were exposed during 5 days post fertilization (dpf). Results showed a significant decrease in survival at 2 dpf but no significance in the hatching rate. Physiological and morphological alterations including fish position, movement frequency, and swimming behavior showed significant changes due to hypergravity. Epigenetic studies showed significant hypermethylation of the genome of the zebrafish larvae subjected to 5 days of hypergravity. Downregulation of the gene expression of three epigenetic-related genes (dnmt1, dnmt3, and tet1), although not significant, was further observed. Taken altogether, gravity alterations affected biological responses including epigenetics in fish, providing a valuable roadmap of the putative hazards of living beyond Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Salazar
- Department of Renewable Marine Resources, Institut de Ciències del Mar—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Joly
- Department of Renewable Marine Resources, Institut de Ciències del Mar—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Guillem Anglada-Escudé
- Department of Astrophysics, Institut de Ciències de l’Espai—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICE-CSIC), UAB Campus at Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya–IEEC/CERCA, Gran Capità, 2–4, Edifici Nexus, Despatx 201, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Ribas
- Department of Renewable Marine Resources, Institut de Ciències del Mar—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
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3
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Shirai M, Shimoda N, Takahashi H, Takayama K, Kikuchi Y. Microarray transcriptome datasets of maternal-zygotic DNA methyltransferase 3aa -/- zebrafish during early developmental stages. Data Brief 2023; 47:108967. [PMID: 36820127 PMCID: PMC9938149 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2023.108967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic regulator mediated by DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts). The methylation is involved in control of gene expression in vertebrates. It has been reported that there are mainly two types of de novo Dnmts, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b, in mammals. These two Dnmts function in DNA methylation in the distinct or overlapping genomic regions. The zebrafish homologs of mammalian Dnmt3a are Dnmt3aa and Dnmt3ab. We generated a maternal-zygotic dnmt3aa deficient mutant (MZdnmt3aa) to identify the specific target regions for DNA methylation in the zebrafish genome and their function in the developmental process. Microarray analysis revealed alterations in gene expression by knock-out of dnmt3aa in early zebrafish development. Microarray datasets were produced from samples at five different developmental stages: 1-2 cell, shield, 5-somite, 1-day post fertilization (dpf), and 2 dpf. Herein, we present novel raw and processed transcriptome datasets generated by analysis of the MZdnmt3aa -/- mutant. The raw microarray data are available through the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), accession number GSE202646. These transcriptome data may be useful for comparing differences in gene expression among species of Dnmt3a mutants and for analyzing human diseases caused by DNMT3A such as acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Shirai
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526 Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Shimoda
- Laboratory of Molecular Analysis, Center for Core Facility Administration, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 7-430, Morioka, Obu, Aichi 474-8522, Japan
| | - Haruko Takahashi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526 Japan,Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Kazuya Takayama
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526 Japan
| | - Yutaka Kikuchi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526 Japan,Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan,Corresponding author.
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4
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DNA Methyltransferases: From Evolution to Clinical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168994. [PMID: 36012258 PMCID: PMC9409253 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic mark that living beings have used in different environments. The MTases family catalyzes DNA methylation. This process is conserved from archaea to eukaryotes, from fertilization to every stage of development, and from the early stages of cancer to metastasis. The family of DNMTs has been classified into DNMT1, DNMT2, and DNMT3. Each DNMT has been duplicated or deleted, having consequences on DNMT structure and cellular function, resulting in a conserved evolutionary reaction of DNA methylation. DNMTs are conserved in the five kingdoms of life: bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, and animals. The importance of DNMTs in whether methylate or not has a historical adaptation that in mammals has been discovered in complex regulatory mechanisms to develop another padlock to genomic insurance stability. The regulatory mechanisms that control DNMTs expression are involved in a diversity of cell phenotypes and are associated with pathologies transcription deregulation. This work focused on DNA methyltransferases, their biology, functions, and new inhibitory mechanisms reported. We also discuss different approaches to inhibit DNMTs, the use of non-coding RNAs and nucleoside chemical compounds in recent studies, and their importance in biological, clinical, and industry research.
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Zhou M, Zhao Z, Zhao J, Wu M, Chen X. Gene expression profiling of DNA methyltransferase genes in Siniperca chuatsi based on transcriptome sequencing. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 99:1755-1760. [PMID: 34310718 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) DNA methyltransferase gene 1 (dnmt1) was highly expressed in the mesonephros, head kidney and gonad, whereas dnmt2 was expressed in most tissues. dnmt3a was highly expressed in the brain and spleen, but dnmt3b was mainly expressed in the brain and head kidney. The genes dnmt1 and dnmt2 were highly expressed in the early stages of embryonic development, and dnmt3a and dnmt3b were expressed later. These genes also showed certain changes after artificial diet acclimation, salinity adaptation and immune stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziwei Zhao
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation for Aquatic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinliang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minglin Wu
- Fisheries Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaowu Chen
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation for Aquatic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
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The emergence of the brain non-CpG methylation system in vertebrates. Nat Ecol Evol 2021; 5:369-378. [PMID: 33462491 PMCID: PMC7116863 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-01371-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian brains feature exceptionally high levels of non-CpG DNA methylation alongside the canonical form of CpG methylation. Non-CpG methylation plays a critical regulatory role in cognitive function, which is mediated by the binding of MeCP2, the transcriptional regulator that when mutated causes Rett syndrome. However, it is unclear whether the non-CpG neural methylation system is restricted to mammalian species with complex cognitive abilities or has deeper evolutionary origins. To test this, we investigated brain DNA methylation across 12 distantly related animal lineages, revealing that non-CpG methylation is restricted to vertebrates. We discovered that in vertebrates, non-CpG methylation is enriched within a highly conserved set of developmental genes transcriptionally repressed in adult brains, indicating that it demarcates a deeply conserved regulatory program. We also found that the writer of non-CpG methylation, DNMT3A, and the reader, MeCP2, originated at the onset of vertebrates as a result of the ancestral vertebrate whole-genome duplication. Together, we demonstrate how this novel layer of epigenetic information assembled at the root of vertebrates and gained new regulatory roles independent of the ancestral form of the canonical CpG methylation. This suggests that the emergence of non-CpG methylation may have fostered the evolution of sophisticated cognitive abilities found in the vertebrate lineage.
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Loughland I, Little A, Seebacher F. DNA methyltransferase 3a mediates developmental thermal plasticity. BMC Biol 2021; 19:11. [PMID: 33478487 PMCID: PMC7819298 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-020-00942-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thermal plasticity is pivotal for evolution in changing climates and in mediating resilience to its potentially negative effects. The efficacy to respond to environmental change depends on underlying mechanisms. DNA methylation induced by DNA methyltransferase 3 enzymes in the germline or during early embryonic development may be correlated with responses to environmental change. This developmental plasticity can interact with reversible acclimation within adult organisms, which would increase the speed of response and could alleviate potential mismatches between parental or early embryonic environments and those experienced at later life stages. Our aim was to determine whether there is a causative relationship between DNMT3 enzyme and developmental thermal plasticity and whether either or both interact with short-term acclimation to alter fitness and thermal responses in zebrafish (Danio rerio). RESULTS We developed a novel DNMT3a knock-out model to show that sequential knock-out of DNA methyltransferase 3a isoforms (DNMT3aa-/- and DNMT3aa-/-ab-/-) additively decreased survival and increased deformities when cold developmental temperatures in zebrafish offspring mismatched warm temperatures experienced by parents. Interestingly, short-term cold acclimation of parents before breeding rescued DNMT3a knock-out offspring by restoring survival at cold temperatures. DNMT3a knock-out genotype interacted with developmental temperatures to modify thermal performance curves in offspring, where at least one DNMT3a isoform was necessary to buffer locomotion from increasing temperatures. The thermal sensitivity of citrate synthase activity, an indicator of mitochondrial density, was less severely affected by DNMT3a knock-out, but there was nonetheless a significant interaction between genotype and developmental temperatures. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that DNMT3a regulates developmental thermal plasticity and that the phenotypic effects of different DNMT3a isoforms are additive. However, DNMT3a interacts with other mechanisms, such as histone (de)acetylation, induced during short-term acclimation to buffer phenotypes from environmental change. Interactions between these mechanisms make phenotypic compensation for climate change more efficient and make it less likely that thermal plasticity incurs a cost resulting from environmental mismatches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Loughland
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences A08, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Alexander Little
- Department of Biology, Biosciences Complex, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Frank Seebacher
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences A08, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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Akdogan-Ozdilek B, Duval KL, Goll MG. Chromatin dynamics at the maternal to zygotic transition: recent advances from the zebrafish model. F1000Res 2020; 9. [PMID: 32528656 PMCID: PMC7262572 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.21809.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Early animal development is characterized by intense reorganization of the embryonic genome, including large-scale changes in chromatin structure and in the DNA and histone modifications that help shape this structure. Particularly profound shifts in the chromatin landscape are associated with the maternal-to-zygotic transition, when the zygotic genome is first transcribed and maternally loaded transcripts are degraded. The accessibility of the early zebrafish embryo facilitates the interrogation of chromatin during this critical window of development, making it an important model for early chromatin regulation. Here, we review our current understanding of chromatin dynamics during early zebrafish development, highlighting new advances as well as similarities and differences between early chromatin regulation in zebrafish and other species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mary G Goll
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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Liu J, Hu H, Panserat S, Marandel L. Evolutionary history of DNA methylation related genes in chordates: new insights from multiple whole genome duplications. Sci Rep 2020; 10:970. [PMID: 31969623 PMCID: PMC6976628 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57753-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mechanism involved in many biological processes, i.e. gametogenesis and embryonic development. However, increased copy numbers of DNA methylation related genes (dnmt, tet and tdg) have been found during chordate evolution due to successive whole genome duplication (WGD) events. Their evolutionary history and phylogenetic relationships remain unclear. The present study is the first to clarify the evolutionary history of DNA methylation genes in chordates. In particular, our results highlight the fixation of several dnmt3-related genes following successive WGD throughout evolution. The rainbow trout genome offered a unique opportunity to study the early evolutionary fates of duplicated genes due to a recent round of WGD at the radiation of salmonids. Differences highlighted in transcriptional patterns of these genes during gametogenesis and ontogenesis in trout indicated that they might be subjected to sub- or neo-functionalisation after WDG. The fixation of multiple dnmt3 genes in genomes after WGD could contribute to the diversification and plastic adaptation of the teleost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Liu
- INRAE, Univ Pau & Pays de l'Adour, E2S-UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, F-64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
| | - Huihua Hu
- INRAE, Univ Pau & Pays de l'Adour, E2S-UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, F-64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Stéphane Panserat
- INRAE, Univ Pau & Pays de l'Adour, E2S-UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, F-64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
| | - Lucie Marandel
- INRAE, Univ Pau & Pays de l'Adour, E2S-UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, F-64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France.
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10
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Balasubramanian S, Raghunath A, Perumal E. Role of epigenetics in zebrafish development. Gene 2019; 718:144049. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.144049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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The DNA methylation level is associated with the superior growth of the hybrid fry in snakehead fish (Channa argus × Channa maculata). Gene 2019; 703:125-133. [PMID: 30978477 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.03.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid vigour, or heterosis, refers to the increased productivity and growth rate of hybrid offsprings relative to the parents. Various heterosis have been well exploited in fish for fisheries. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying heterosis are largely unknown in fish. In this study, two inbred and hybrid lines between the northern snakehead (NS, Channa argus) and blotched snakehead (BS, Channa maculata) were generated. The analysis on various growth traits, including body length, head length, and body height, showed that hybrid fry obviously exhibited a spontaneous growth heterosis over the inbred. Moreover, the methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) analysis revealed that the DNA methylation levels were negatively related to the body growth in all fry. Especially, the DNA methylation levels in the hybrid fry were significantly lower than those in the inbred. Additionally, qRT-PCR showed that the snakehead fish Dnmt3a mRNA was initially detectable in embryos at 12 hpf and gradually increased as developing. Intriguingly, the level of Dnmt3a mRNA expression was found to be closely correlated to the DNA methylation level in embryos/fry. The results of this study firstly demonstrated the correlations between growth heterosis, DNA methylation level and Dnmt3a mRNA expression in fish fry. The findings of this study implied that the hybrids' heterosis formation is probably accompanied by DNA methylation alterations and modulated by Dnmt3a gene in fish. This study would provide new clues for further investigations on mechanisms behind heterosis formation in fish hybrid.
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Alfonso S, Blanc M, Joassard L, Keiter SH, Munschy C, Loizeau V, Bégout ML, Cousin X. Examining multi- and transgenerational behavioral and molecular alterations resulting from parental exposure to an environmental PCB and PBDE mixture. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 208:29-38. [PMID: 30605867 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants extensively used during the 20th century and still present in aquatic environments despite their ban. Effects of exposure to these compounds over generations are poorly documented. Therefore, our aims were to characterize behavioral responses and underlying molecular mechanisms in zebrafish exposed to an environmentally relevant mixture of PCBs and PBDEs as well as in four unexposed offspring generations. Zebrafish (F0) were chronically exposed from the first meal onward to a diet spiked with a mixture containing 22 PCB and 7 PBDE congeners in proportions and concentrations reflecting environmental situations (ΣPCBs = 1991 and ΣPBDEs = 411 ng/g). Four offspring generations (F1 to F4) were obtained from this F0 and were not further exposed. Behavior was assessed at both larval and adult stages. Mechanisms related to behavioral defects (habenula maturation and c-fos transcription) and methylation (dnmts transcription) were monitored in larvae. Exposed adult F0 as well as F1 and F3 adults displayed no behavioral change while F2 expressed anxiety-like behavior. Larval behavior was also disrupted, i.e. hyperactive after light to dark transition in F1 or hypoactive in F2, F3 and F4. Behavioral disruptions may be related to defect in habenula maturation (observed in F1) and change in c-fos transcription (observed in F1 and F2). Transcription of the gene encoding DNA methyltransferase (dnmt3ba) was also modified in all generations. Our results lead us to hypothesize that chronic dietary exposure to an environmentally relevant mixture of PCB and PBDE triggers multigenerational and transgenerational molecular and behavioral disruptions in a vertebrate model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Alfonso
- Ifremer, Laboratoire Ressources Halieutiques, Place Gaby Coll, F-17137, L'Houmeau, France; UMR MARBEC, Ifremer, IRD, UM2, CNRS, Laboratoire Adaptation et Adaptabilités des Animaux et des Systèmes, Route de Maguelone, F-34250, Palavas-les-Flots, France.
| | - Mélanie Blanc
- Ifremer, Laboratoire Ressources Halieutiques, Place Gaby Coll, F-17137, L'Houmeau, France; Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Fakultetsgatan 1, S-701 82, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Lucette Joassard
- Ifremer, Laboratoire Ressources Halieutiques, Place Gaby Coll, F-17137, L'Houmeau, France
| | - Steffen H Keiter
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Fakultetsgatan 1, S-701 82, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Catherine Munschy
- Ifremer, Laboratoire Biogéochimie des Contaminants Organiques, Rue de l'Ile d'Yeu, BP 21105, F-44311, Nantes, Cedex 3, France
| | - Véronique Loizeau
- Ifremer, Laboratoire Biogéochimie des Contaminants Organiques, ZI Pointe du Diable, CS 10070, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Marie-Laure Bégout
- Ifremer, Laboratoire Ressources Halieutiques, Place Gaby Coll, F-17137, L'Houmeau, France
| | - Xavier Cousin
- UMR MARBEC, Ifremer, IRD, UM2, CNRS, Laboratoire Adaptation et Adaptabilités des Animaux et des Systèmes, Route de Maguelone, F-34250, Palavas-les-Flots, France; Inra, UMR GABI, Inra, AgroParisTech, Domaine de Vilvert, Batiment 231, F-78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
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13
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Neuropharmacology, pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics of aggression: The zebrafish model. Pharmacol Res 2019; 141:602-608. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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14
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Epigenetics in teleost fish: From molecular mechanisms to physiological phenotypes. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 224:210-244. [PMID: 29369794 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
While the field of epigenetics is increasingly recognized to contribute to the emergence of phenotypes in mammalian research models across different developmental and generational timescales, the comparative biology of epigenetics in the large and physiologically diverse vertebrate infraclass of teleost fish remains comparatively understudied. The cypriniform zebrafish and the salmoniform rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon represent two especially important teleost orders, because they offer the unique possibility to comparatively investigate the role of epigenetic regulation in 3R and 4R duplicated genomes. In addition to their sequenced genomes, these teleost species are well-characterized model species for development and physiology, and therefore allow for an investigation of the role of epigenetic modifications in the emergence of physiological phenotypes during an organism's lifespan and in subsequent generations. This review aims firstly to describe the evolution of the repertoire of genes involved in key molecular epigenetic pathways including histone modifications, DNA methylation and microRNAs in zebrafish, rainbow trout, and Atlantic salmon, and secondly, to discuss recent advances in research highlighting a role for molecular epigenetics in shaping physiological phenotypes in these and other teleost models. Finally, by discussing themes and current limitations of the emerging field of teleost epigenetics from both theoretical and technical points of view, we will highlight future research needs and discuss how epigenetics will not only help address basic research questions in comparative teleost physiology, but also inform translational research including aquaculture, aquatic toxicology, and human disease.
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15
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Wirbisky-Hershberger SE, Sanchez OF, Horzmann KA, Thanki D, Yuan C, Freeman JL. Atrazine exposure decreases the activity of DNMTs, global DNA methylation levels, and dnmt expression. Food Chem Toxicol 2017; 109:727-734. [PMID: 28859886 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Atrazine, a herbicide used on agricultural crops is widely applied in the Midwestern United States as well as other areas of the globe. Atrazine frequently contaminates potable water supplies and is a suspected endocrine disrupting chemical. Previous studies have reported morphological, hormonal, and molecular alterations due to developmental and adulthood atrazine exposure; however, studies examining epigenetic alterations are limited. In this study, the effects of atrazine exposure on DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity and kinetics were evaluated. Global DNA methylation levels and dnmt expression in zebrafish larvae exposed to 0, 3, or 30 parts per billion (ppb) atrazine throughout embryogenesis was then assessed. Results indicate that atrazine significantly decreased the activity of maintenance DNMTs and that the inhibition mechanism can be described using non-competitive Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Furthermore, results show that an embryonic atrazine exposure decreases global methylation levels and the expression of dnmt4 and dnmt5. These findings indicate that atrazine exposure can decrease the expression and activity of DNMTs, leading to decreased DNA methylation levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Oscar F Sanchez
- School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | | | - Devang Thanki
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Chongli Yuan
- School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
| | - Jennifer L Freeman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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16
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Firmino J, Carballo C, Armesto P, Campinho MA, Power DM, Manchado M. Phylogeny, expression patterns and regulation of DNA Methyltransferases in early development of the flatfish, Solea senegalensis. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2017; 17:11. [PMID: 28716037 PMCID: PMC5513168 DOI: 10.1186/s12861-017-0154-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background The identification of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmt) expression patterns during development and their regulation is important to understand the epigenetic mechanisms that modulate larval plasticity in marine fish. In this study, dnmt1 and dnmt3 paralogs were identified in the flatfish Solea senegalensis and expression patterns in early developmental stages and juveniles were determined. Additionally, the regulation of Dnmt transcription by a specific inhibitor (5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine) and temperature was evaluated. Results Five paralog genes of dnmt3, namely dnmt3aa, dnmt3ab, dnmt3ba, dnmt3bb.1 and dnmt3bb.2 and one gene for dnmt1 were identified. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the dnmt gene family was highly conserved in teleosts and three fish-specific genes, dnmt3aa, dnmt3ba and dnmt3bb.2 have evolved. The spatio-temporal expression patterns of four dnmts (dnmt1, dnmt3aa, dnmt3ab and dnmt3bb.1) were different in early larval stages although all of them reduced expression with the age and were detected in neural organs and dnmt3aa appeared specific to somites. In juveniles, the four dnmt genes were expressed in brain and hematopoietic tissues such as kidney, spleen and gills. Treatment of sole embryos with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine down-regulated dntm1 and up-regulated dntm3aa. Moreover, in lecithotrophic larval stages, dnmt3aa and dnmt3ab were temperature sensitive and their expression was higher in larvae incubated at 16 °C relative to 20 °C. Conclusion Five dnmt3 and one dnmt1 paralog were identified in sole and their distinct developmental and tissue-specific expression patterns indicate that they may have different roles during development. The inhibitor 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine modified the transcript abundance of dntm1 and dntm3aa in embryos, which suggests that a regulatory feedback mechanism exists for these genes. The impact of thermal regime on expression levels of dnmt3aa and dnmt3ab in lecithotrophic larval stages suggests that these paralogs might be involved in thermal programing. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12861-017-0154-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Firmino
- IFAPA Centro El Toruño, Junta de Andalucía, Camino Tiro Pichón s/n, 11500 El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain.,Comparative Molecular Endocrinology Group, Marine Science Centre (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Carlos Carballo
- IFAPA Centro El Toruño, Junta de Andalucía, Camino Tiro Pichón s/n, 11500 El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Paula Armesto
- IFAPA Centro El Toruño, Junta de Andalucía, Camino Tiro Pichón s/n, 11500 El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Marco A Campinho
- Comparative Molecular Endocrinology Group, Marine Science Centre (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Deborah M Power
- Comparative Molecular Endocrinology Group, Marine Science Centre (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Manuel Manchado
- IFAPA Centro El Toruño, Junta de Andalucía, Camino Tiro Pichón s/n, 11500 El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain.
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17
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Sanchez OF, Lee J, Yu King Hing N, Kim SE, Freeman JL, Yuan C. Lead (Pb) exposure reduces global DNA methylation level by non-competitive inhibition and alteration of dnmt expression. Metallomics 2017; 9:149-160. [DOI: 10.1039/c6mt00198j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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18
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Dorts J, Falisse E, Schoofs E, Flamion E, Kestemont P, Silvestre F. DNA methyltransferases and stress-related genes expression in zebrafish larvae after exposure to heat and copper during reprogramming of DNA methylation. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34254. [PMID: 27731414 PMCID: PMC5059630 DOI: 10.1038/srep34254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation, a well-studied epigenetic mark, is important for gene regulation in adulthood and for development. Using genetic and epigenetic approaches, the present study aimed at evaluating the effects of heat stress and copper exposure during zebrafish early embryogenesis when patterns of DNA methylation are being established, a process called reprogramming. Embryos were exposed to 325 μg Cu/L from fertilization (<1 h post fertilization - hpf) to 4 hpf at either 26.5 °C or 34 °C, followed by incubation in clean water at 26.5 °C till 96 hpf. Significant increased mortality rates and delayed hatching were observed following exposure to combined high temperature and Cu. Secondly, both stressors, alone or in combination, significantly upregulated the expression of de novo DNA methyltransferase genes (dnmt3) along with no differences in global cytosine methylation level. Finally, Cu exposure significantly increased the expression of metallothionein (mt2) and heat shock protein (hsp70), the latter being also increased following exposure to high temperature. These results highlighted the sensitivity of early embryogenesis and more precisely of the reprogramming period to environmental challenges, in a realistic situation of combined stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Dorts
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Elodie Falisse
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Emilie Schoofs
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Enora Flamion
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Patrick Kestemont
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Silvestre
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
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19
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Wood RK, Crowley E, Martyniuk CJ. Developmental profiles and expression of the DNA methyltransferase genes in the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) following exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2016; 42:7-18. [PMID: 26251286 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-015-0112-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic regulator of gene expression, and this process has been shown to be disrupted by environmental contaminants. Di-2-(ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and related phthalate esters have been shown to affect development in early life stages of fish and can alter genomic methylation patterns in vertebrates. The objectives of this study were the following: (1) Describe the expression patterns of the DNA methyltransferase (dnmt) genes during early fathead minnow (FHM) development. These genes are critical for methylation and imprinting during development. (2) Determine the effects of DEHP on the development of FHM larvae [1 and 14 days post-hatch (dph)]. (3) Determine the effect of DEHP on dnmt expression and global methylation status in larval FHM. FHMs were first collected over a developmental time course [1, 3, 5, 6, and 14 days post-fertilization (dpf)] to investigate the expression patterns of five dnmt isoforms. The expression of dnmt1 and dnmt7 was relatively high in embryos at 1 dpf but was variable in expression, and these transcripts were later expressed at a lower level (>3 dpf); dnmt3 was significantly higher in embryos at 1 dpf compared to those at 3 dpf. Dnmt6 showed more of a constitutive pattern of expression during the first 2 weeks of development, and the mRNA levels of dnmt8 were higher in embryos at 5 and 6 dpf compared to those at 1 and 3 dpf, corresponding to the hatching period of the embryos. A waterborne exposure to three concentrations of DEHP (1, 10 and 100 µg/L) was conducted on 1-day FHM embryos for 24 h and on larval fish for 2 weeks, ending at 14 dpf. DEHP did not negatively affect survival, hatch rate, or the expression of dnmt isoforms in FHMs. There were no differences in global cytosine methylation following DEHP treatments in 14 dpf larvae, suggesting that environmentally relevant levels of DEHP may not affect global methylation at this stage of FHM development. However, additional targeted methylome studies are required to determine whether specific gene promoters are differently methylated following exposure to DEHP. This study offers new insight into the roles of the dnmt enzymes during FHM development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard K Wood
- Department of Biology, Canadian Rivers Institute, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, E2L 4L5, Canada
| | - Emma Crowley
- Department of Biology, Canadian Rivers Institute, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, E2L 4L5, Canada
| | - Christopher J Martyniuk
- Department of Biology, Canadian Rivers Institute, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, E2L 4L5, Canada.
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
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20
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Metzger DCH, Schulte PM. Epigenomics in marine fishes. Mar Genomics 2016; 30:43-54. [PMID: 26833273 DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2016.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are an underappreciated and often ignored component of an organism's response to environmental change and may underlie many types of phenotypic plasticity. Recent technological advances in methods for detecting epigenetic marks at a whole-genome scale have launched new opportunities for studying epigenomics in ecologically relevant non-model systems. The study of ecological epigenomics holds great promise to better understand the linkages between genotype, phenotype, and the environment and to explore mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity. The many attributes of marine fish species, including their high diversity, variable life histories, high fecundity, impressive plasticity, and economic value provide unique opportunities for studying epigenetic mechanisms in an environmental context. To provide a primer on epigenomic research for fish biologists, we start by describing fundamental aspects of epigenetics, focusing on the most widely studied and most well understood of the epigenetic marks: DNA methylation. We then describe the techniques that have been used to investigate DNA methylation in marine fishes to date and highlight some new techniques that hold great promise for future studies. Epigenomic research in marine fishes is in its early stages, so we first briefly discuss what has been learned about the establishment, maintenance, and function of DNA methylation in fishes from studies in zebrafish and then summarize the studies demonstrating the pervasive effects of the environment on the epigenomes of marine fishes. We conclude by highlighting the potential for ongoing research on the epigenomics of marine fishes to reveal critical aspects of the interaction between organisms and their environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C H Metzger
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Patricia M Schulte
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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21
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Dasmahapatra AK, Khan IA. Modulation of DNA methylation machineries in Japanese rice fish (Oryzias latipes) embryogenesis by ethanol and 5-azacytidine. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2016; 179:174-83. [PMID: 26510680 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2015.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
As a sequel of our investigations on the impact of epigenome in inducing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) phenotypes in Japanese rice fish, we have investigated on several DNA methylation machinery genes including DNA methyl transferase 3ba (dnmt3ba) and methyl binding proteins (MBPs), namely, mbd1b, mbd3a, mbd3b, and mecp2 at the transcription level. Studies were made during normal development, from 0day post fertilization (dpf) to hatching, and also exposing the fertilized eggs to ethanol or a DNMT inhibitor, 5-azacytidine (5-azaC). We observed that during development, all these genes followed distinct expression patterns, generally high mRNA copies in early phases (0-1dpf) and significantly low mRNA copies prior to or after hatching. Ethanol (100-500mM, 0-2dpf) was unable to alter any of these mRNAs in 2dpf; additional four day (2-6dpf) maintenance of these embryos in ethanol-free environment, on 6dpf, was also unable to establish any significant difference in these mRNA levels in comparison with the corresponding controls. However, continuous exposure of fertilized eggs in 300mM ethanol, 0-6dpf, showed significantly high mRNA copies only in MBPs (mbd1b, mbd3a, mbd3b, mecp2). 5-azaC (2mM) on 2dpf was able to enhance only mbd3b mRNA. Removal of 5-azaC and maintenance of these embryos in clean medium, 2-6dpf, showed significantly enhanced mbd3b and mecp2 mRNAs compared to corresponding controls on 6dpf. Our studies showed that in Japanese rice fish embryogenesis both ethanol and 5-azaC have the potential to specifically modulate the developmental rhythm of DNA methylation machineries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asok K Dasmahapatra
- National Center for Natural Product Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA; Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
| | - Ikhlas A Khan
- National Center for Natural Product Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA; Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
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22
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Kamstra JH, Aleström P, Kooter JM, Legler J. Zebrafish as a model to study the role of DNA methylation in environmental toxicology. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:16262-16276. [PMID: 25172464 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3466-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Environmental epigenetics is a rapidly growing field which studies the effects of environmental factors such as nutrition, stress, and exposure to compounds on epigenetic gene regulation. Recent studies have shown that exposure to toxicants in vertebrates is associated with changes in DNA methylation, a major epigenetic mechanism affecting gene transcription. Zebra fish, a well-known model in toxicology and developmental biology, are emerging as a model species in environmental epigenetics despite their evolutionary distance to rodents and humans. In this review, recent insights in DNA methylation during zebra fish development are discussed and compared to mammalian models in order to evaluate zebra fish as a model to study the role of DNA methylation in environmental toxicology. Differences exist in DNA methylation reprogramming during early development, whereas in later developmental stages, tissue distribution of both 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine seems more conserved between species, as well as basic DNA (de)methylation mechanisms. All DNA methyl transferases identified so far in mammals are present in zebra fish, as well as a number of major demethylation pathways. However, zebra fish appear to lack some methylation pathways present in mammals, such as parental imprinting. Several studies report effects on DNA methylation in zebra fish following exposure to environmental contaminants, such as arsenic, benzo[a]pyrene, and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate. Though more research is needed to examine heritable effects of contaminant exposure on DNA methylation, recent data suggests the usefulness of the zebra fish as a model in environmental epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorke H Kamstra
- Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Peter Aleström
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, Dept. of Basic Science and Aquatic Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0033, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Jan M Kooter
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Section Genetics, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Juliette Legler
- Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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23
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Dasmahapatra AK, Khan IA. DNA methyltransferase expressions in Japanese rice fish (Oryzias latipes) embryogenesis is developmentally regulated and modulated by ethanol and 5-azacytidine. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2015; 176-177:1-9. [PMID: 26183885 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the impact of the epigenome in inducting fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) phenotypes in Japanese rice fish embryogenesis. One of the significant events in epigenome is DNA methylation which is catalyzed by DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzymes. We analyzed DNMT enzyme mRNA expressions in Japanese rice fish development starting from fertilized eggs to hatching and also in embryos exposed for first 48h of development either to ethanol (300mM) or to 5-azacytidine (5-azaC; 2mM), an inhibitor of DNMT enzyme activity. As observed in FASD phenotypes, 5-azaC exposure was able to induce microcephaly and craniofacial cartilage deformities in Japanese rice fish. Moreover, we have observed that expression of DNMTs (dnmt1, dnmt3aa, and dnmt3bb.1) are developmentally regulated; high mRNA copies were found in early stages (1-2day-post-fertilization, dpf), followed by gradual reduction until hatched. In ethanol-treated embryos, compared to controls, dnmt1 mRNA is in reduced level in 2dpf and in enhanced level in 6dpf embryos. While dnmt3aa and 3bb.1 remained unaltered. In contrast, embryos exposed to 5-azaC have an enhanced level of dnmt1 and dnmt3bb.1 mRNAs both in 2 and 6dpf embryos while dnmt3aa is enhanced only in 6dpf embryos. Moreover, endocannabinoid receptor 1a (cnr1a) mRNA which was found to be reduced by ethanol remained unaltered and cnr1b and cnr2 mRNAs, which were remained unaltered by ethanol, were increased significantly by 5-azaC in 6dpf embryos. This study indicates that the craniofacial defects observed in FASD phenotypes are the results of dysregulations in DNMT expressions.
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MESH Headings
- Abnormalities, Drug-Induced/enzymology
- Abnormalities, Drug-Induced/etiology
- Abnormalities, Drug-Induced/genetics
- Animals
- Azacitidine/toxicity
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases/genetics
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases/metabolism
- DNA Methylation
- DNA Methyltransferase 3A
- Disease Models, Animal
- Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects
- Ethanol/toxicity
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders/enzymology
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders/etiology
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders/genetics
- Fish Proteins/genetics
- Fish Proteins/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
- Oryzias/embryology
- Oryzias/genetics
- Oryzias/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/drug effects
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/drug effects
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
- Time Factors
- DNA Methyltransferase 3B
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Affiliation(s)
- Asok K Dasmahapatra
- National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA; Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA.
| | - Ikhlas A Khan
- National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA; Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
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24
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Aluru N, Kuo E, Helfrich LW, Karchner SI, Linney EA, Pais JE, Franks DG. Developmental exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin alters DNA methyltransferase (dnmt) expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2015; 284:142-51. [PMID: 25732252 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2015.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2015] [Revised: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is one of the most important epigenetic modifications involved in the regulation of gene expression. The DNA methylation reaction is catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). Recent studies have demonstrated that toxicants can affect normal development by altering DNA methylation patterns, but the mechanisms of action are poorly understood. Hence, we tested the hypothesis that developmental exposure to TCDD affects dnmt gene expression patterns. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 5nM TCDD for 1h from 4 to 5h post-fertilization (hpf) and sampled at 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hpf to determine dnmt gene expression and DNA methylation patterns. We performed a detailed analysis of zebrafish dnmt gene expression during development and in adult tissues. Our results demonstrate that dnmt3b genes are highly expressed in early stages of development, and dnmt3a genes are more abundant in later stages. TCDD exposure upregulated dnmt1 and dnmt3b2 expression, whereas dnmt3a1, 3b1, and 3b4 are downregulated following exposure. We did not observe any TCDD-induced differences in global methylation or hydroxymethylation levels, but the promoter methylation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) target genes was altered. In TCDD-exposed embryos, AHR repressor a (ahrra) and c-fos promoters were differentially methylated. To characterize the TCDD effects on DNMTs, we cloned the dnmt promoters with xenobiotic response elements and conducted AHR transactivation assays using a luciferase reporter system. Our results suggest that ahr2 can regulate dnmt3a1, dnmt3a2, and dnmt3b2 expression. Overall, we demonstrate that developmental exposure to TCDD alters dnmt expression and DNA methylation patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelakanteswar Aluru
- Biology Department and Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA.
| | - Elaine Kuo
- Biology Department and Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA; Stanford University, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lily W Helfrich
- Biology Department and Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA; Northwestern University, 633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Sibel I Karchner
- Biology Department and Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Elwood A Linney
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3020, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - June E Pais
- New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
| | - Diana G Franks
- Biology Department and Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
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25
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Iwasaki Y, Abe T, Okada N, Wada K, Wada Y, Ikemura T. Evolutionary changes in vertebrate genome signatures with special focus on coelacanth. DNA Res 2014; 21:459-67. [PMID: 24800745 PMCID: PMC4195492 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsu012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
With a remarkable increase in genomic sequence data of a wide range of species, novel tools are needed for comprehensive analyses of the big sequence data. Self-organizing map (SOM) is a powerful tool for clustering high-dimensional data on one plane. For oligonucleotide compositions handled as high-dimensional data, we have previously modified the conventional SOM for genome informatics: BLSOM. In the present study, we constructed BLSOMs for oligonucleotide compositions in fragment sequences (e.g. 100 kb) from a wide range of vertebrates, including coelacanth, and found that the sequences were clustered primarily according to species without species information. As one of the nearest living relatives of tetrapod ancestors, coelacanth is believed to provide access to the phenotypic and genomic transitions leading to the emergence of tetrapods. The characteristic oligonucleotide composition found for coelacanth was connected with the lowest dinucleotide CG occurrence (i.e. the highest CG suppression) among fishes, which was rather equivalent to that of tetrapods. This evident CG suppression in coelacanth should reflect molecular evolutionary processes of epigenetic systems including DNA methylation during vertebrate evolution. Sequence of a de novo DNA methylase (Dntm3a) of coelacanth was found to be more closely related to that of tetrapods than that of other fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Iwasaki
- Department of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan
| | - Takashi Abe
- Department of Information Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Institute of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata-ken 950-2181, Japan
| | - Norihiro Okada
- Department of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan Faculty of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226, Japan Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Kennosuke Wada
- Department of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Wada
- Department of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan
| | - Toshimichi Ikemura
- Department of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan
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Expression patterns of dnmt3aa, dnmt3ab, and dnmt4 during development and fin regeneration in zebrafish. Gene Expr Patterns 2014; 14:105-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2014.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Revised: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Liu Z, Liu F. Cautious use of fli1a:EGFP transgenic zebrafish in vascular research. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 427:223-6. [PMID: 22995292 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.09.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Integration of exogenous sequence into an intact genome may cause some artificial phenotype or unspecific observations. We noticed that there is unspecific vascular expression when using fli1a:EGFP transgenic embryos for whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH) experiments. We therefore tested whether the residual vector sequence contained in the fli1a:EGFP transgene or the integration of transgene into the genome may cause this expression 'noise' and/or deregulation of gene expression at a genome-wide level. RNA probes were synthesized using two different methods, i.e. vector-based and PCR-based. The vector-based dnmt3 probe showed unspecific vascular expression in fli1a:EGFP embryos, but not in wildtype embryos, by WISH. Moreover, we also found that compared to that in wildtype, there were alterations in gene expression at whole-genome level in the fli1a:EGFP embryos. Our finding that the vector sequence contained in the fli1a:EGFP genome causes unspecific vascular expression by WISH and the genome-wide expression profiling is altered in fli1a:EGFP embryos strongly argue that extra caution should be taken for data interpretation when using transgenics, such as fli1a:EGFP, in developmental biology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhibin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Campos C, Valente LMP, Fernandes JMO. Molecular evolution of zebrafish dnmt3 genes and thermal plasticity of their expression during embryonic development. Gene 2012; 500:93-100. [PMID: 22450363 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2012.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2011] [Revised: 02/15/2012] [Accepted: 03/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
DNA reprogramming by DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferases (dnmts) after fertilisation is a dynamic mechanism that is essential for early development. Amongst the three types of dnmt genes in vertebrates, dnmt3 is the one involved in de novo methylation and comprises three related genes, termed dnmt3a, dnmt3b and dnmt3L in mammals. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has six dnmt3 paralogues, which have hitherto been termed dnmt3 to dnmt8. Bayesian inference of phylogeny and synteny analysis revealed that dnmt6 and dnmt8 are in fact duplicated dnmt3a genes, whereas the other paralogues are closely related to dnmt3b. Hence, we propose a revised nomenclature that more accurately reflects the relationship amongst zebrafish dnmt3 genes. Both dnmt3a genes were ubiquitously expressed in adult tissues, whilst the various dnmt3b paralogues were differentially expressed, with notably high expression levels in the gonads. The influence of embryonic temperature on dnmt3 expression was investigated, since it is known to have a significant impact in early development and a long-term effect on growth in some teleost species. Embryos were incubated at 23, 27 or 31°C and samples collected at six developmental stages from blastula until protruding mouth. Dnmt3 expression during early development was remarkably dynamic. In particular, mRNA levels of the two dnmt3a genes showed a marked increase throughout development and several significant differences in dnmt3a and dnmt3b transcript levels were found between temperatures at the same developmental point. Taken together, our data indicate that dnmt3 paralogues are diverging and that dnmt3a and dnmt3b may play different roles in thermal epigenetic regulation of gene expression during early development.
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