Identification of gene targets of developmental neurotoxicity focusing on DNA hypermethylation involved in irreversible disruption of hippocampal neurogenesis in rats. Issue 7 (4th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kikuchi, Satomi; Takahashi, Yasunori; Ojiro, Ryota; Takashima, Kazumi; Okano, Hiromu; Tang, Qian; Woo, Gye‐Hyeong; Yoshida, Toshinori; Shibutani, Makoto
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied toxicology. Volume 41:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: 1021
• Page End: 1037
• Publication Date: 2020-11-04
• Subjects: 6‐propyl‐2‐thiouracil (PTU) -- developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) -- gene expression -- glycidol (GLY) -- hippocampal neurogenesis -- methylation -- rat -- valproic acid (VPA); Toxicology -- Periodicals; Industrial toxicology -- Periodicals; Environmentally induced diseases -- Periodicals; Toxicology -- Periodicals; 615.9005
• DOI: 10.1002/jat.4089
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0260-437X

Abstract

Abstract: We have previously found that maternal exposure to 6‐propyl‐2‐thiouracil (PTU), valproic acid (VPA), or glycidol (GLY) has a sustained or late effect on hippocampal neurogenesis at the adult stage in rat offspring. Herein, we searched for genes with hypermethylated promoter region and downregulated transcript level to reveal irreversible markers of developmental neurotoxicity. The hippocampal dentate gyrus of male rat offspring exposed maternally to PTU, VPA, or GLY was subjected to Methyl‐Seq and RNA‐Seq analyses on postnatal day (PND) 21. Among the genes identified, 170 were selected for further validation analysis of gene expression on PND 21 and PND 77 by real‐time reverse transcription‐PCR. PTU and GLY downregulated many genes on PND 21, reflecting diverse effects on neurogenesis. Furthermore, genes showing sustained downregulation were found after PTU or VPA exposure, reflecting a sustained or late effect on neurogenesis by these compounds. In contrast, such genes were not observed with GLY, probably because of the reversible nature of the effects. Among the genes showing sustained downregulation, Creb, Arc, and Hes5 were concurrently downregulated by PTU, suggesting an association with neuronal mismigration, suppressed synaptic plasticity, and reduction in neural stem and progenitor cells. Epha7 and Pvalb were also concurrently downregulated by PTU, suggesting an association with the reduction in late‐stage progenitor cells. VPA induced sustained downregulation of Vgf and Dpysl4, which may be related to the aberrations in synaptic plasticity. The genes showing sustained downregulation may be irreversible markers of developmental neurotoxicity. Abstract : Hippocampal dentate gyrus of rat offspring exposed maternally to PTU, VPA, or GLY was subjected to global methylation analysis on PND 21. Genes downregulated on PND 77 were examined. PTU concurrently downregulated Creb, Arc, and Hes5, suggesting an association with the diverse effects on neurogenesis. PTU also concurrently downregulated Epha7 and Pvalb, suggesting an association with progenitor cell reduction. VPA downregulated Vgf and Dpysl4, suggesting an association with the aberrant synaptic plasticity. In contrast, GLY did not induce sustained downregulation.