INCENP基因功能性单倍型可调控启动子活性并影响公牛精液品质

为研究内着丝粒蛋白(Inner centromere protein, INCENP)基因启动子区单核苷酸多态性(SNPs)与精液品质的相关性,本文利用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)方法检测了250头中国荷斯坦公牛INCENP基因的基因型。在INCENP基因启动子区鉴定出两个SNPs (g.-556 G>T,rs 136823901和g.-692 C>T,rs 211010999),发现了3种单倍型(CG、TT、TG)。分析两个SNP位点的基因型频率和等位基因频率,各SNP及单倍型组合与中国荷斯坦公牛精液品质的相关性,结果表明SNP位点g.-556 G>T GT基因型个体的鲜精活力显著高于GG基因型个体(P<0.05),单倍型组合H1H1(CCGG)、H1H3(CTGT)、H2H3(TTGT)和H3H3(TTTT)个体的鲜精活力和冻精解冻后活力均显著高于H1H2个体(P<0.05)。为进一步研究g.-556 G>T和g.-692 C>T影响精液品质的可能机理,本文将3种单倍型质粒分别转染小鼠睾丸间质细胞(MLTC-1),结果显示含TG单倍型的载体荧光素酶活性最高。由此推测,g.-556 G>T和g.-692 C>T为启动子区功能性突变位点,可通过调节启动子活性来调控INCENP基因表达,进而影响精液品质。     

NF2基因甲基化及其mRNA表达与乳腺癌发病的关系

目的:探讨乳腺癌中NF2基因启动子甲基化状态及其mRNA水平与乳腺癌发病的关系.方法:应用甲基化特异性聚合酶链反应(MSP)和逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)技术,检测47例乳腺癌组织及相应的癌旁组织和15例乳腺良性病变组织,分析NF2基因的甲基化与某些临床参数及mRNA表达的关系.结果:NF2基因启动子区在乳腺癌、癌旁和乳腺良性病变组织中的甲基化频率分别为57.4%(27/47)、23.4%(23/47)和0%(0/15).且乳腺癌组明显高于其余两组(P＜0.05).NF2基因发生甲基化与发病年龄、组织分型、转移和组织分级无相关性.乳腺癌组NF2基因mRNA的相对表达量(0.16±0.11)明显低于相应的癌旁组(0.27±0.14)及乳腺良性病变组(0.64±0.17)(P＜0.05).NF2基因启动子区甲基化频率与其mRNA表达呈负相关(Spearman's r=-0.314,P＜0.05).结论:NF2基因发生甲基化与乳腺癌的发生密切相关,NF2mRNA表达与NF2基因启动子高甲基化呈负相关.     

结肠癌组织RASSF1A基因转录表达和启动子区甲基化研究

目的:研究Ras相关区域家族1A基因(ras association domain family 1A,RASSF1A)启动子区甲基化对结肠癌组织中该基因转录和表达的影响.方法:应用甲基化特异性PCR(Methylation-special PCR,MSP)、RT-PCR和Western blot方法检测30例结肠癌组织和癌旁组织中的RASSF1A基因启动子区甲基化状态、mRNA和蛋白表达水平.结果:①RASSF1A基因启动子区在结肠癌纽织和正常组织中的甲基化频率分别为57%(17/30)和20%(6/30),甲基化频率在两组具有统计学差异(p＜0.01),,结肠癌组织中RASSF1A基因启动子区甲基化频率显著高于癌旁正常组织(x2=8.531,p＜0.01);②结肠癌组织中RASSF1A基因mRNA和蛋白袁达均显著低于癌旁组织(癌组织和癌旁正常组织中mRNA相对表达量分别为0.2836±0.0493和0.5092±0.0433,P＜0.001;以上组织中蛋白相对表达量分别为0.3124±0.0472和0.5320±0.0440,P＜0.01);③在结肠癌组织中,甲基化组RASSF1A基因mRNA和蛋白表达明显低于非甲基化组(甲基化组和非甲基化组mRNA相对表达量分别为0.0686±0.0174和0.5511±0.0486,P＜0.0001;以上组中蛋白相对表达量分别为0.1219±0.0326和0.5614±0.0380,P＜0.0001).结论:结肠癌组织中RASSF1A基因启动子区甲基化明显增高,与该基因蛋白表达减少显著相关,这可能是导致结肠癌中RASSF1A抑癌基因失活的主要因为.     

NF2基因甲基化及其mRNA表达与乳腺癌发病的关系(英文)

目的:探讨乳腺癌中NF2基因启动子甲基化状态及其mRNA水平与乳腺癌发病的关系。方法:应用甲基化特异性聚合酶链反应(MSP)和逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)技术,检测47例乳腺癌组织及相应的癌旁组织和15例乳腺良性病变组织,分析NF2基因的甲基化与某些临床参数及mRNA表达的关系。结果:NF2基因启动子区在乳腺癌、癌旁和乳腺良性病变组织中的甲基化频率分别为57.4%(27/47)、23.4%(23/47)和0%(0/15),且乳腺癌组明显高于其余两组(P<0.05)。NF2基因发生甲基化与发病年龄、组织分型、转移和组织分级无相关性。乳腺癌组NF2基因mRNA的相对表达量(0.16±0.11)明显低于相应的癌旁组(0.27±0.14)及乳腺良性病变组(0.64±0.17()P<0.05)。NF2基因启动子区甲基化频率与其mRNA表达呈负相关(Spearman’sr=-0.314,P<0.05)。结论:NF2基因发生甲基化与乳腺癌的发生密切相关,NF2mRNA表达与NF2基因启动子高甲基化呈负相关。     

DLC-1 基因在MCF-7 人乳腺癌细胞系中低表达的机制探究

目的:探究DLC-1基因在MCF-7人乳腺癌细胞系中低表达的机制。方法:应用甲基化特异性PCR(MSP)检测人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的DLC-1基因甲基化状态,不同浓度的5-氮杂-2’-脱氧胞嘧啶(5-Aza-CdR)处理人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7,RT-PCR及Real-time PCR定量检测用药前后细胞中DLC-1基因mRNA表达水平变化。结果:DLC-1基因启动子区CpG岛呈甲基化状态,经过5-Aza-CdR处理后,DLC-1基因启动子区呈去甲基化状态,并且其mRNA恢复表达。结论:抑癌基因DLC-1 CpG岛甲基化是导致该基因低表达的原因之一,5-Aza-CdR能逆转DLC-1基因甲基化状态。     

睾酮缺乏对高脂诱导小型猪内脏脂肪组织DNA甲基化的影响

为探讨DNA甲基化在睾酮缺乏促进高脂饮食诱导的小型猪肥胖中的作用,本研究采用甲基化DNA免疫共沉淀测序(MeDIP-Seq)技术分析高脂饲喂的不去势、去势和去势+睾酮3组小型猪内脏脂肪组织DNA甲基化差异,对筛选出的差异甲基化基因进行注释和功能富集分析,并运用RT-qPCR技术检测差异甲基化基因的表达.结果 表明,不去势、去势和去势+睾酮3组样本在基因组上的甲基化分布情况相似,即Genebody区的甲基化水平高于3'UTR和5'UTR区.另外,在去势Vs.不去势和去势Vs.去势+睾酮两组样本中分别筛选得到2839个和2510个差异甲基化基因,这些基因主要富集在脂肪细胞因子转导、抗原处理以及呈递、脂肪酸代谢和氨基酸代谢等通路.睾酮缺乏导致高脂饲喂小型猪内脏脂肪组织LEP以及NCF1内含子区甲基化和SLC-27A1启动子区甲基化水平升高,并且LEP和NCF1 mRNA表达与甲基化呈正相关,而SLC27A1 mR-NA表达与甲基化呈负相关.本研究推测,睾酮缺乏可能通过影响脂质代谢和炎症反应等多个途径基因DNA甲基化参与调控脂肪沉积和肥胖发生.     

基于数据挖掘分析MTERF2基因在子宫内膜癌的表达及意义

目的:基于数据挖掘分析线粒体转录终止因子2(MTERF2)基因在子宫内膜癌及正常子宫内膜组织中的表达情况,并进一步探讨MTERF2对子宫内膜癌患者预后的影响。方法:利用Oncomine数据库分析MTERF2基因DNA拷贝数在子宫内膜癌组织中的变化;利用cBioportal分析MTERF2基因在子宫内膜癌组织中的突变情况;通过基因表达谱动态分析(GEPIA)探讨人体正常组织及其相应的肿瘤组织中MTERF2基因的表达差异;经MethHC分析子宫内膜癌和正常子宫内膜组织中MTERF2基因DNA启动子区甲基化水平的差异;利用OncoLnc对MTERF2基因的表达水平与子宫内膜癌患者生存率做Kaplan-Meier生存分析和Log-Rank检验;在String-DB数据库中探索MTERF2基因在线粒体DNA表达调控过程中关系密切的相关基因。结果:与正常子宫内膜组织相比,子宫内膜癌组织中MTERF2基因DNA拷贝数无明显变化(P0.05),在mRNA水平呈显著低表达(P0.05),DNA启动子区甲基化水平显著降低(P0.005);MTERF2基因的表达水平与子宫内膜癌患者的总体生存时间无显著相关性(Log-Rank P0.05);TFB1M、TFB2M、POLMT、MTERFD1、MTERFD2、PTCD1、SSBP1、COA3、HDGFRP3等基因与MTERF2基因关系密切,可能存在相互作用。结论:大样本数据挖掘能迅速获取子宫内膜癌组织中MTERF2基因表达的相关信息,为深入探究MTERF2基因在子宫内膜癌发生发展中的作用机制及其预后价值奠定基础。     

DLC-1基因在MCF-7人乳腺癌细胞系中低表达的机制探究

目的：探究DLC-1基因在MCF-7人乳腺癌细胞系中低表达的机制。方法：应用甲基化特异性PCR（MSP）检测人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的DLC-1基因甲基化状态,不同浓度的5-氮杂-2＇-脱氧胞嘧啶（5-Aza-CdR）处理人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7,RT-PCR及Real-time PCR定量检测用药前后细胞中DLC-1基因mRNA表达水平变化。结果：DLC-1基因启动子区CpG岛呈甲基化状态,经过5-Aza-CdR处理后,DLC-1基因启动子区呈去甲基化状态,并且其mRNA恢复表达。结论：抑癌基因DLC-1 CpG岛甲基化是导致该基因低表达的原因之一,5-Aza-CdR能逆转DLC-1基因甲基化状态。     

大鼠C6胶质瘤细胞中gdnf基因启动子Ⅰ区组蛋白高乙酰化可能参与了其高转录调控过程

目的:探讨大鼠C6胶质瘤细胞中gdnf基因高转录与其启动子Ⅰ区组蛋白乙酰化的关系。方法:应用Real-time PCR和ChIP-PCR技术分别检测了大鼠正常星形胶质细胞和C6胶质瘤细胞中gdnf基因mRNA的表达水平以及其启动子Ⅰ区组蛋白H3K9的乙酰化程度;利用Real-time PCR技术,检测了不同浓度的组蛋白乙酰基转移酶抑制剂姜黄素(Curcumin)或去乙酰化酶抑制剂曲古抑菌素A(TSA)处理对C6胶质瘤细胞中gdnf基因mRNA表达的影响。结果:较之正常星形胶质细胞,C6胶质瘤细胞中gdnf基因mRNA的表达量极显著增高(P0.01),并且其启动子Ⅰ区H3K9的乙酰化水平也显著升高(P0.05)。C6胶质瘤细胞经Curcumin处理24 h后,gdnf基因mRNA的表达量随药物浓度的升高而降低,且100μmol/L作用浓度时其表达量下降了74.17%(P0.001);相反,TSA处理后gdnf基因mRNA的表达量呈上升趋势,且200nmol/L组其表达量约上升145.35%(P0.05)。结论:在大鼠C6胶质瘤细胞中gdnf基因启动子Ⅰ区H3K9发生了高乙酰化修饰,这种修饰可能是其高转录的原因。     

内侧前额叶皮质DNA甲基化调控大鼠酒精相关行为

酒精滥用不仅导致组织器官损伤,还易诱发神经精神疾病。研究表明,DNA甲基化在酒精诱导基因表达和行为改变中发挥重要作用,但具体的神经生物学机制尚未被阐明。为了探索DNA甲基化在酒精滥用中的作用机制,本研究选取健康成年雄性SD大鼠(Rattus norvegicus)32只,随机分为饮水对照组(n=16)和慢性酒精暴露组(n=16),运用双瓶选择实验(two bottle choice test,TBCT)评估大鼠酒精偏爱率(alcohol preference),通过旷场行为(open field test,OFT)评估活动状态并检测血酒精浓度。分离两组大鼠内侧前额叶皮质(medial prefrontal cortex,mPFC),提取总DNA,利用简化代表性重亚硫酸盐测序技术(reduced representation bisulfite sequencing,RRBS)构建mPFC甲基化谱,对差异基因进行功能富集和通路分析,筛选与酒精滥用密切相关的甲基化差异基因,运用qRT-PCR技术检测差异基因的表达,验证DNA甲基化对基因的表达调控;利用qRT-PCR和Western blot检测甲基转移酶(DNA methyltransferases,DNMTs)和甲基化CpG位点结合蛋白2(methyl CpG binding protein 2,MeCP2)的表达;同时,还检测了短期酒精暴露(7 d)对大鼠mPFC内DNMTs和MeCP2的影响(n=8/组)。结果表明,慢性酒精暴露大鼠mPFC内基因启动子区甲基化水平显著升高。与酒精滥用密切相关的差异基因中,慢性酒精暴露组Ntf3和Ppm1G启动子区甲基化水平升高,mRNA表达降低;Hap1和DUSP1启动子区甲基化水平降低,mRNA表达升高。慢性酒精暴露使DNMT3B和MeCP2 mRNA和蛋白表达升高,而短期内酒精暴露不影响它们的表达。本研究初步证实DNA甲基化与酒精滥用的发展相关,可能受DNMT3B和MeCP2分子的调控,并发现了与酒精滥用相关的靶基因Ntf3、Ppm1G、Hap1和DUSP1,为研究酒精滥用的神经生物学机制提供了新见解,同时为酒精滥用治疗提供了可能的药理学靶点。     

Validation of endogenous control genes in human adipose tissue: relevance to obesity and obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The aim of the present study was to test the influence of obesity and the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on the expression of ten housekeeping genes and of the 18S rRNA in a group of human adipose tissue samples from the omental and subcutaneous depot. Adipose tissue biopsies were obtained by laparoscopic surgery from lean and obese patients. After the extraction, mRNA levels in adipose tissue samples were quantified by real-time PCR using the commercial HUMAN ENDOGENOUS CONTROL PLATES. From the genes analyzed, 18S rRNA exhibited the most stable expression levels in both depots regardless of the pathophysiological conditions of obesity and obesity-associated T2DM. Contrarily, GAPD was the gene with the highest variation in its expression levels, being upregulated (8.0-fold) in the obese group and downregulated (3.5-fold) in obesity-associated T2DM. Our results show that 18S rRNA may be the most suitable gene for normalization in expression studies performed in human adipose tissue samples obtained from patients suffering from obesity and/or obesity-associated T2DM, whereas GAPD is less appropriate for comparison purposes under these circumstances.     

Daily rhythms of plasma melatonin, but not plasma leptin or leptin mRNA, vary between lean, obese and type 2 diabetic men

Melatonin and leptin exhibit daily rhythms that may contribute towards changes in metabolic physiology. It remains unclear, however, whether this rhythmicity is altered in obesity or type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We tested the hypothesis that 24-hour profiles of melatonin, leptin and leptin mRNA are altered by metabolic status in laboratory conditions. Men between 45-65 years old were recruited into lean, obese-non-diabetic or obese-T2DM groups. Volunteers followed strict sleep-wake and dietary regimes for 1 week before the laboratory study. They were then maintained in controlled light-dark conditions, semi-recumbent posture and fed hourly iso-energetic drinks during wake periods. Hourly blood samples were collected for hormone analysis. Subcutaneous adipose biopsies were collected 6-hourly for gene expression analysis. Although there was no effect of subject group on the timing of dim light melatonin onset (DLMO), nocturnal plasma melatonin concentration was significantly higher in obese-non-diabetic subjects compared to weight-matched T2DM subjects (p<0.01) and lean controls (p<0.05). Two T2DM subjects failed to produce any detectable melatonin, although did exhibit plasma cortisol rhythms comparable to others in the group. Consistent with the literature, there was a significant (p<0.001) effect of subject group on absolute plasma leptin concentration and, when expressed relative to an individual's 24-hour mean, plasma leptin showed significant (p<0.001) diurnal variation. However, there was no difference in amplitude or timing of leptin rhythms between experimental groups. There was also no significant effect of time on leptin mRNA expression. Despite an overall effect (p<0.05) of experimental group, post-hoc analysis revealed no significant pair-wise effects of group on leptin mRNA expression. Altered plasma melatonin rhythms in weight-matched T2DM and non-diabetic individuals supports a possible role of melatonin in T2DM aetiology. However, neither obesity nor T2DM changed 24-hour rhythms of plasma leptin relative to cycle mean, or expression of subcutaneous adipose leptin gene expression, compared with lean subjects.     

Promoter Hypermethylation of ARID1A Gene Is Responsible for Its Low mRNA Expression in Many Invasive Breast Cancers

ARID1A (AT-rich interactive domain 1A) has recently been identified as a tumor suppressor gene. Its mRNA expression is significantly low in many breast cancers; this is often associated with more aggressive phenotypes. However, the underlying molecular mechanism for its low expression has not been fully understood. This study was undertaken to evaluate the contribution of gene copy number variation, mutations, promoter methylation and histone modification to ARID1A’s low expression. 38 pairs of breast invasive ductal carcinomas and their normal breast tissue counterparts from the same patients were randomly selected for gene expression and copy number variation detection. Promoter methylation and histone modification levels were evaluated by MeDIP-qPCR and ChIP-qPCR, respectively. PCR product Sanger sequencing was carried out to detect the exon mutation rate. Twenty-two out of 38 invasive ductal carcinomas in the study (57.9%) revealed ARID1A mRNA low expression by realtime RT-PCR. The relative promoter methylation level was, significantly higher in ARID1A mRNA low expression group compared with its high expression group (p<0.001). In the low expression group, nineteen out of 22 invasive ductal carcinomas (86.4%) exhibited ARID1A promoter hypermthylation. In addition, the promoter hypermethylation was accompanied with repressive histone modification (H3K27Me3). Although five out of 38 invasive ductal carcinomas (13.2%) exhibited loss of ARID1A gene copy number by realtime PCR and nine exon novel mutations are seen from eight out of 33 invasive ductal carcinomas (24.2%), there was no statistically significant difference in both ARID1A mRNA low and high expression groups (p = 0.25,and p = 0.68, respectively). We demonstrate that promoter hypermethylation was the main culprit for ARID1A mRNA low expression in invasive ductal carcinomas. The influence of mutation and copy number variation on the expression were statistically insignificant at mRNA level, and were, therefore, not considered the main causes for ARID1A mRNA low expression in invasive breast cancer.     

Metformin attenuates synergic effect of diabetes mellitus and Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric cancer cells proliferation by suppressing PTEN expression

It has been reported that CagA of Helicobacter pylori reduced PTEN expression by enhancing its promoter methylation. Furthermore, diabetes mellitus (DM) may also promote the methylation status of PTEN, a tumour suppressor gene in gastric cancer (GC). It is intriguing to explore whether DM may strengthen the tumorigenic effect of H pylori (HP) by promoting the methylation of PTEN promoter and whether the administration of metformin may reduce the risk of GC by suppressing the methylation of PTEN promoter. In this study, we enrolled 107 GC patients and grouped them as HP(−)DM(−) group, HP(+)DM(−) group and HP(+)DM(+) group. Bisulphite sequencing PCR evaluated methylation of PTEN promoter. Quantitative real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and MTT assay were performed accordingly. DNA methylation of PTEN promoter was synergistically enhanced in HP(+)DM(+) patients, and the expression of PTEN was suppressed in HP(+)DM(+) patients. Cell apoptosis was decreased in HP(+)DM(+) group. Metformin showed an apparent effect on restoring CagA-induced elevation of PTEN promoter methylation, thus attenuating the PTEN expression. The reduced PTEN level led to increased proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of HGC-27 cells. In this study, we collected GC tumour tissues from GC patients with or without DM/HP to compare their PTEN methylation and expression while testing the effect of metformin on the methylation of PTEN promoter. In summary, our study suggested that DM could strengthen the tumorigenic effect of HP by promoting the PTEN promoter methylation, while metformin reduces GC risk by suppressing PTEN promoter methylation.     

Transgene Expression Is Associated with Copy Number and Cytomegalovirus Promoter Methylation in Transgenic Pigs

Transgenic animals have been used for years to study gene function, produce important proteins, and generate models for the study of human diseases. However, inheritance and expression instability of the transgene in transgenic animals is a major limitation. Copy number and promoter methylation are known to regulate gene expression, but no report has systematically examined their effect on transgene expression. In the study, we generated two transgenic pigs by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by cytomegalovirus (CMV). Absolute quantitative real-time PCR and bisulfite sequencing were performed to determine transgene copy number and promoter methylation level. The correlation of transgene expression with copy number and promoter methylation was analyzed in individual development, fibroblast cells, various tissues, and offspring of the transgenic pigs. Our results demonstrate that transgene expression is associated with copy number and CMV promoter methylation in transgenic pigs.     

Dynamic alteration of adiponectin/adiponectin receptor expression and its impact on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in type 1 diabetic mice

The present study determined the dynamic change of adiponectin (APN, a cardioprotective adipokine), its receptor expression, and their impact upon myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury during type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) progression, and involved underlying mechanisms. Diabetic state was induced in mice via multiple intraperitoneal injections of low-dose streptozotocin. The dynamic change of plasma APN concentration and cardiac APN receptor-1 and -2 (AdipoR1/2) expression were assessed immediately after diabetes onset (0 wk) and 1, 3, 5, and 7 wk thereafter. Indicators of MI/R injury (infarct size, apoptosis, and LDH release) were determined at 0, 1, and 7 wk of DM duration. The effect of APN on MI/R injury was determined in mice subjected to different diabetic durations. Plasma APN levels (total and HMW form) increased, whereas cardiac AdipoR1 expression decreased early after T1DM onset. With T1DM progression, APN levels were reduced and cardiac AdipoR1 expression increased. MI/R injury was exacerbated with T1DM progression in a time-dependent manner. Administration of globular APN (gAD) failed to attenuate MI/R injury in 1-wk T1DM mice, while an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator (AICAR) reduced MI/R injury. However, administration of gAD (and AICAR) reduced infarct size and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in 7-wk T1DM mice. In conclusion, our results demonstrate a dynamic dysfunction of APN/AdipoR1 during T1DM progression. Reduced cardiac AdipoR1 expression and APN concentration may be responsible for increased I/R injury susceptibility at early and late T1DM stages, respectively. Interventions bolstering AdipoR1 expression during early T1DM stages and APN supplementation during advanced T1DM stages may potentially reduce the myocardial ischemic injury in diabetic patients.     

RASSF6 Expression in Adipocytes Is Down-Regulated by Interaction with Macrophages

Macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue is associated with obesity and the crosstalk between adipocytes and infiltrated macrophages has been investigated as an important pathological phenomenon during adipose tissue inflammation. Here, we sought to identify adipocyte mRNAs that are regulated by interaction with infiltrated macrophages in vivo. An anti-inflammatory vitamin, vitamin B6, suppressed macrophage infiltration into white adipose tissue and altered mRNA expression. We identified >3500 genes whose expression is significantly altered during the development of obesity in db/db mice, and compared them to the adipose tissue mRNA expression profile of mice supplemented with vitamin B6. We identified PTX3 and MMP3 as candidate genes regulated by macrophage infiltration. PTX3 and MMP3 mRNA expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was up-regulated by activated RAW264.7 cells and these mRNA levels were positively correlated with macrophage number in adipose tissue in vivo. Next, we screened adipose genes down-regulated by the interaction with macrophages, and isolated RASSF6 (Ras association domain family 6). RASSF6 mRNA in adipocytes was decreased by culture medium conditioned by activated RAW264.7 cells, and RASSF6 mRNA level was negatively correlated with macrophage number in adipose tissue, suggesting that adipocyte RASSF6 mRNA expression is down-regulated by infiltrated macrophages in vivo. Finally, this study also showed that decreased RASSF6 expression up-regulates mRNA expression of several genes, such as CD44 and high mobility group protein HMGA2. These data provide novel insights into the biological significance of interactions between adipocytes and macrophages in adipose tissue during the development of obesity.     

Mitochondrial alteration in type 2 diabetes and obesity: An epigenetic link

The growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity is largely attributed to the current lifestyle of over-consumption and physical inactivity. As the primary platform controlling metabolic and energy homeostasis, mitochondria show aberrant changes in T2DM and obese subjects. While the underlying mechanism is under extensive investigation, epigenetic regulation is now emerging to play an important role in mitochondrial biogenesis, function, and dynamics. In line with lifestyle modifications preventing mitochondrial alterations and metabolic disorders, exercise has been shown to change DNA methylation of the promoter of PGC1α to favor gene expression responsible for mitochondrial biogenesis and function. In this article we discuss the epigenetic mechanism of mitochondrial alteration in T2DM and obesity, and the effects of lifestyle on epigenetic regulation. Future studies designed to further explore and integrate the epigenetic mechanisms with lifestyle modification may lead to interdisciplinary interventions and novel preventive options for mitochondrial alteration and metabolic disorders.     

CpG site DNA methylation of the CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein,alpha promoter in chicken lines divergently selected for fatness

CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein (C/EBP), alpha (CEBPA) is a master regulator of adipogenesis and, together with peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARG), plays a critical role in adipocyte differentiation. Previous studies have demonstrated that CEBPA is regulated by DNA methylation and involved in the osteogenesis and adipogenesis of mouse C3H10T1/2 and bone marrow stromal cells. However, it is unclear whether CEBPA is regulated by DNA methylation in adipose tissues. Thus, the objectives of the present study were to investigate CpG site methylation in a 357‐bp CEBPA promoter region and to assess the correlation between promoter CpG site methylation and CEBPA gene expression in the abdominal adipose tissues of Northeast Agricultural University broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content. The results showed that the methylation percentage of the analyzed CEBPA promoter region was significantly higher in lean broilers than in fat broilers at 2 weeks (80.3% vs. 43.4%, P < 0.0001), 3 weeks (95.4% vs. 74.0%, P < 0.0001) and 7 weeks of age (82.6% vs. 57.2%, P < 0.0001). Real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR analysis showed that CEBPA expression was significantly higher in the fat vs. the lean line at 2 weeks of age (P = 0.0013) but not at 3 or 7 weeks of age. The correlation analysis showed that only at 2 weeks of age was the methylation percentage negatively correlated with CEBPA expression (Pearson's r = ?0.8312, P = 0.0029). Of all seven tested CpGs, only two, the CpGs at ?1494 and ?1478 bp, displayed a significantly negative correlation with CEBPA mRNA expression. These results suggest that the CEBPA is methylated in adipose tissue and may regulate chicken early adipose development.