Maternal nutrition at conception modulates DNA methylation of human metastable epialleles

作者：Dominguez Salas Paula; Moore Sophie E; Baker Maria S; Bergen Andrew W; Cox Sharon E; Dyer Roger A; Fulford Anthony J; Guan Yongtao; Laritsky Eleonora; Silver Matt J; Swan Gary E; Zeisel Steven H; Innis Sheila M; Waterland Robert A^*; Prentice Andrew M; Hennig Branwen J

来源：Nature Communications, 2014, 5(1): 3746.

DOI：10.1038/ncomms4746

In experimental animals, maternal diet during the periconceptional period influences the establishment of DNA methylation at metastable epialleles in the offspring, with permanent phenotypic consequences. Pronounced naturally occurring seasonal differences in the diet of rural Gambian women allowed us to test this in humans. We show that significant seasonal variations in methyl-donor nutrient intake of mothers around the time of conception influence 13 relevant plasma biomarkers. The level of several of these maternal biomarkers predicts increased/decreased methylation at metastable epialleles in DNA extracted from lymphocytes and hair follicles in infants postnatally. Our results demonstrate that maternal nutritional status during early pregnancy causes persistent and systemic epigenetic changes at human metastable epialleles.

• 出版日期2014-4