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Haidar L, Georgescu M, Drăghici GA, Bănățean-Dunea I, Nica DV, Șerb AF. DNA Methylation Machinery in Gastropod Mollusks. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:537. [PMID: 38672807 PMCID: PMC11050768 DOI: 10.3390/life14040537] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of DNA methylation in mollusks is just beginning to be understood. This review synthesizes current knowledge on this potent molecular hallmark of epigenetic control in gastropods-the largest class of mollusks and ubiquitous inhabitants of diverse habitats. Their DNA methylation machinery shows a high degree of conservation in CG maintenance methylation mechanisms, driven mainly by DNMT1 homologues, and the presence of MBD2 and MBD2/3 proteins as DNA methylation readers. The mosaic-like DNA methylation landscape occurs mainly in a CG context and is primarily confined to gene bodies and housekeeping genes. DNA methylation emerges as a critical regulator of reproduction, development, and adaptation, with tissue-specific patterns being observed in gonadal structures. Its dynamics also serve as an important regulatory mechanism underlying learning and memory processes. DNA methylation can be affected by various environmental stimuli, including as pathogens and abiotic stresses, potentially impacting phenotypic variation and population diversity. Overall, the features of DNA methylation in gastropods are complex, being an essential part of their epigenome. However, comprehensive studies integrating developmental stages, tissues, and environmental conditions, functional annotation of methylated regions, and integrated genomic-epigenomic analyses are lacking. Addressing these knowledge gaps will advance our understanding of gastropod biology, ecology, and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Haidar
- Department of Functional Sciences, Physiology Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania;
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies (CIFBIOTEH), “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Marius Georgescu
- Department of Functional Sciences, Physiology Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania;
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies (CIFBIOTEH), “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
| | - George Andrei Drăghici
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania;
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Ioan Bănățean-Dunea
- Biology and Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timișoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timișoara, Romania;
| | - Dragoș Vasile Nica
- The National Institute of Research—Development for Machines and Installations Designed for Agriculture and Food Industry (INMA), Bulevardul Ion Ionescu de la Brad 6, 077190 București, Romania
| | - Alina-Florina Șerb
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Biochemistry Discipline, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania;
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Solntseva SV, Nikitin PV, Kozyrev SA, Nikitin VP. Learning against the Background of DNA Methyltransferase Inhibition Leads to the Formation of Memory That Is Resistant to Reactivation and Impairment. Bull Exp Biol Med 2021; 170:288-293. [PMID: 33452638 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-021-05053-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The involvement of DNA methylation in the mechanisms of formation of conditioned food aversion memory was studied on Helix lucorum snails. The dynamics of aversion formation in snails injected with DNA methyltransferase inhibitor RG108 did not differ from that in control snails. The memory was retained for more than one month after training following RG108 injection and the duration of memory persistence did not differ from that in control animals. However, the characteristics of memory in control and experimental snails differed significantly. In control snails, injections of glutamate NMDA-receptor antagonist or protein synthesis inhibitor before memory retrieval caused disorders in the memory reconsolidation and development of amnesia 2 days after training. By contrast, injections of these substances before retrieval to snails trained against the background of RG108 treatment caused no memory disorders. We hypothesized that inhibition of DNA methylation processes led to the formation of strong memory, not reactivated after retrieval and not transformed into a labile state sensitive to amnesic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- S V Solntseva
- P. K. Anokhin Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - P V Nikitin
- P. K. Anokhin Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Moscow, Russia.
| | - S A Kozyrev
- P. K. Anokhin Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - V P Nikitin
- P. K. Anokhin Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Moscow, Russia
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