Maternal folic acid supplementation alters gene expression in the offspring brain
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ABSTRACT: Studies have indicated that altered maternal micronutrients and vitamins influence the development and susceptibility of newborns to chronic diseases. Among these, folic acid (FA) plays a key role in the synthesis and repair of DNA, along with maintenance of epigenetic DNA methylation. Deficiency of FA has been associated with the pathogenesis of neural tube defects. Since FA can modulate DNA methylation and affect gene expression, we investigated the effect of gestational FA supplementation on the expression of genes in the offspring brain. Our results suggest that a maternal ten-fold increase in FA supplementation alters the expression and dysregulates a number of genes in the offspring brain, including many involved in development. While a number of genes that were dysregulated were common to both male and female pups, there were sex differences in gene expression changes.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE45607 | GEO | 2013/09/09
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA195394
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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