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PMID: 19261726 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Epigenetic mechanisms for nutrition determinants of later health outcomes.

The American journal of clinical nutrition ·Vol. 89 ·No. 5 ·2009-05-00 ·Pages 1488S-1493S

Zeisel SH

Abstract

Epigenetic marking on genes can determine whether or not genes are expressed. Epigenetic regulation is mediated by the addition of methyl groups to DNA cytosine bases, of methyl and acetyl groups to proteins (histones) around which DNA is wrapped, and by small interfering RNA molecules. Some components of epigenetic regulation have evolved to permit control of whether maternal or paternal genes are expressed. The epigenetic imprinting of IGF2 expression is an example of maternal and paternal epigenetic marking that modulates fetal growth and fetal size. However, epigenetic regulation also permits the fetus and the infant to adapt gene expression to the environment in which it is growing; sometimes when this adjustment goes awry, the risk of chronic disease is increased. Recent progress in the understanding of nutritional influences on epigenetics suggests that nutrients that are part of methyl-group metabolism can significantly influence epigenetics. During critical periods in development, dietary methyl-group intake (choline, methionine, and folate) can alter DNA and histone methylation, which results in lifelong changes in gene expression. In rodent models, pregnant dams that were fed diets high in methionine, folic acid, and choline produced offspring with different coat colors or with kinked tails. A number of syndromes in humans can be caused by defective epigenetic regulation, including Rett syndrome. There are interesting examples of the effects of nutrition in early life that result in altered health in adults, and some of these could be the result of altered epigenetic regulation of gene expression.

MeSH Terms
Animals Chromatin/genetics DNA/genetics DNA Methylation Epigenesis, Genetic Gene Amplification Gene Expression Regulation Genetic Code Genetic Markers Genomic Imprinting Histones/genetics Humans Insulin-Like Growth Factor II/genetics Models, Animal Nutritional Status RNA Interference RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
Chemicals
Chromatin Genetic Markers Histones RNA, Small Interfering Insulin-Like Growth Factor II DNA
Authors & Affiliations
1 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Zeisel Steven H
Nutrition Research Institute, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. steven_zeisel@unc.edu
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Article Info
Journal
The American journal of clinical nutrition
Abbr.
Am J Clin Nutr
ISSN
1938-3207
DOI
10.3945/ajcn.2009.27113B
Email
steven_zeisel@unc.edu
Published
2009-05-00
Epub
2009-00-04
Pages
1488S-1493S
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
0376027
PMCID
PMC2677001
Subset
IM
Grants
NIDDK NIH HHS · R01 DK055865 · United States
NIDDK NIH HHS · DK56350 · United States
NIDDK NIH HHS · P30 DK056350 · United States
NIA NIH HHS · P01 AG009525 · United States
NIA NIH HHS · AG09525 · United States
NIDDK NIH HHS · DK55865 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.27113B PMC Full Text View journal details
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