MGMT is down-regulated independently of promoter DNA methylation in rats with all-trans retinoic acid-induced spina bifida aperta

Research progress on the role and mechanism of DNA damage repair in germ cell development

In the complex and dynamic processes of replication, transcription, and translation of DNA molecules, a large number of replication errors or damage can occur which lead to obstacles in the development process of germ cells and result in a decreased reproductive rate. DNA damage repair has attracted widespread attention due to its important role in the maintenance and regulation of germ cells. This study reports on a systematic review of the role and mechanism of DNA damage repair in germline development. First, the causes, detection methods, and repair methods of DNA damage, and the mechanism of DNA damage repair are summarized. Second, a summary of the causes of abnormal DNA damage repair in germ cells is introduced along with common examples, and the relevant effects of germ cell damage. Third, we introduce the application of drugs related to DNA damage repair in the treatment of reproductive diseases and related surgical treatment of abnormal DNA damage, and summarize various applications of DNA damage repair in germ cells. Finally, a summary and discussion is given of the current deficiencies in DNA damage repair during germ cell development and future research development. The purpose of this paper is to provide researchers engaged in relevant fields with a further systematic understanding of the relevant applications of DNA damage repair in germ cells and to gain inspiration from it to provide new research ideas for related fields.

Abnormal methylation caused by folic acid deficiency in neural tube defects

Neural tube closure disorders, including anencephaly, spina bifida, and encephalocele, cause neural tube defects (NTDs). This congenital disability remained not only a major contributor to the prevalence of stillbirths and neonatal deaths but also a significant cause of lifelong physical disability in surviving infants. NTDs are complex diseases caused by multiple etiologies, levels, and mechanisms. Currently, the pathogenesis of NTDs is considered to be associated with both genetic and environmental factors. Here, we aimed to review the research progress on the etiology and mechanism of NTDs induced by methylation modification caused by folic acid deficiency. Folic acid supplementation in the diet is reported to be beneficial in preventing NTDs. Methylation modification is one of the most important epigenetic modifications crucial for brain neurodevelopment. Disturbances in folic acid metabolism and decreased S-adenosylmethionine levels lead to reduced methyl donors and methylation modification disorders. In this review, we summarized the relationship between NTDs, folic acid metabolism, and related methylation of DNA, imprinted genes, cytoskeletal protein, histone, RNA, and non-coding RNA, so as to clarify the role of folic acid and methylation in NTDs and to better understand the various pathogenesis mechanisms of NTDs and the effective prevention.

Micronutrient imbalance and common phenotypes in neural tube defects

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common birth defects, with a prevalence of close to 19 per 10,000 births worldwide. The etiology of NTDs is complex involving the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Since nutrient deficiency is a risk factor and dietary changes are the major preventative measure to reduce the risk of NTDs, a more detailed understanding of how common micronutrient imbalances contribute to NTDs is crucial. While folic acid has been the most discussed environmental factor due to the success that population-wide fortification has had on prevention of NTDs, folic acid supplementation does not prevent all NTDs. The imbalance of several other micronutrients has been implicated as risks for NTDs by epidemiological studies and in vivo studies in animal models. In this review, we highlight recent literature deciphering the multifactorial mechanisms underlying NTDs with an emphasis on mouse and human data. Specifically, we focus on advances in our understanding of how too much or too little retinoic acid, zinc, and iron alter gene expression and cellular processes contributing to the pathobiology of NTDs. Synthesis of the discussed literature reveals common cellular phenotypes found in embryos with NTDs resulting from several micronutrient imbalances. The goal is to combine knowledge of these common cellular phenotypes with mechanisms underlying micronutrient imbalances to provide insights into possible new targets for preventative measures against NTDs.

Pedobarography in Physiotherapy: A Narrative Review on Current Knowledge

Pedobarography is a modern technology enabling the assessment of the locomotor system based on the plantar pressure distribution. The technic is useful in the rehabilitation of various types of dysfunction of body movement. This chapter aims to describe the application of pedobarography in clinical therapy. The qualitative analysis is based on a review of articles in English, French, German, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, and Chinese in Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and PEDro databases. The search covered the articles on clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and reviews published over 1984-2020. The literature shows that pedobarography is a safe non-invasive method that is useful for the examination of foot biomechanics with a reference to the entire musculoskeletal system. A pedobarographic examination enables insight into a motion disorder, its plausible relation to a systemic pathology, and monitoring the course of treatment and rehabilitation.

Key Modules and Hub Genes Identified by Coexpression Network Analysis for Revealing Novel Biomarkers for Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is a common neural tube defect (NTD) accounting for 5–10% of perinatal mortalities. As a polygenic disease, spina bifida is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, for which the precise molecular pathogenesis is still not systemically understood. In the present study, we aimed to identify the related gene module that might play a vital role in the occurrence and development of spina bifida by using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Transcription profiling according to an array of human amniocytes from patients with spina bifida and healthy controls was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. First, outliers were identified and removed by principal component analysis (PCA) and sample clustering. Then, genes in the top 25% of variance in the GSE4182 dataset were then determined in order to explore candidate genes in potential hub modules using WGCNA. After data preprocessing, 5407 genes were obtained for further WGCNA. Highly correlated genes were divided into nineteen modules. Combined with a co-expression network and significant differentially expressed genes, 967 candidate genes were identified that may be involved in the pathological processes of spina bifida. Combined with our previous microRNA (miRNA) microarray results, we constructed an miRNA–mRNA network including four miRNAs and 39 mRNA among which three key genes were, respectively, linked to two miRNA-associated gene networks. Following the verification of qRT-PCR and KCND3 was upregulated in the spina bifida. KCND3 and its related miR-765 and miR-142-3p are worthy of further study. These findings may be conducive for early detection and intervention in spina bifida, as well as be of great significance to pregnant women and clinical staff.

Role of miR-124 in the regulation of retinoic acid-induced Neuro-2A cell differentiation

Retinoic acid can cause many types of cells, including mouse neuroblastoma Neuro-2A cells, to differentiate into neurons. However, it is still unknown whether microRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in this neuronal differentiation. To address this issue, real-time polymerase chain reaction assays were used to detect the expression of several differentiation-related miRNAs during the differentiation of retinoic acid-treated Neuro-2A cells. The results revealed that miR-124 and miR-9 were upregulated, while miR-125b was downregulated in retinoic acid-treated Neuro-2A cells. To identify the miRNA that may play a key role, miR-124 expression was regulated by transfection of miRNA mimics or inhibitors. Morphological analysis results showed that inhibition of miR-124 expression reversed the effects of retinoic acid on neurite outgrowth. Moreover, miR-124 overexpression alone caused Neuro-2A cells to differentiate into neurons, and its inhibitor could block this effect. These results suggest that miR-124 plays an important role in retinoic acid-induced differentiation of Neuro-2A cells.

Molecular Basis of Spina Bifida: Recent Advances and Future Prospectives

Background:

Spina bifida (SB) (spinal neural tube [NT] defects) is basically caused by an abnormality at the closure of the NT.

Materials and Methods:

Molecular researchers have now got new etiopathogenesis of the defective neural tube closure. Although molecular mechanisms in the SB is really important taxation for further work. We understand through the unique novel mutant responsible genes and modifying genes and included the different molecular aspects of SB from the available tools and databases and excluded the case reports.

Statistical Analysis:

We use here simple statistics (percentage, mean, median, and average) through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 14, and found P > 0.0001 to be significant.

Results:

We have reported that the majority of 90% genes are responsible in SB and their associated diseases. These innovative unique patterns of responsible genes attached with the result abnormalities at the neuronal and non neuronal tissues are equally important for the SB and NTC.

Conclusion:

Our present ideology is aiming to understand the inductive and direct interactions of the downstream target sites among responsible regulating genes (RRGs). It is an unique pattern of genetic roadmap to control and guides the neurulation and may provide further insights into the causes of SB and may help to develop new molecular-targeted therapy (MTT).