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In Vitro Assay to Measure Phosphatidylethanolamine Methyltransferase Activity
Published on: January 5, 2016
Gene expression profiling in phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase knockout mice
1Department of Nutrition, CB #7461, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Brain Research. Molecular Brain Research
|April 20, 2005
Summary
Mice lacking the enzyme phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) show altered gene expression in the brain. This study reveals significant changes in genes related to cell cycle, neurogenesis, and phospholipid metabolism in these mice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Background:
- Choline is essential for cellular function and is obtained from diet or synthesized endogenously via phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT).
- Pemt knockout mice lack endogenous choline synthesis, leading to biochemical alterations previously observed in their brains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the global gene expression profile in the brains of Pemt knockout mice.
- To identify specific genes and pathways affected by the absence of endogenous choline synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression profiling using RNA extraction and Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM).
- Analysis of both fetal (embryonic day 17) and adult brain tissues from Pemt knockout and wild-type mice.
Main Results:
- Significant alterations in gene expression were observed in both fetal and adult Pemt knockout brains.
- In fetal brains, 107 genes were upregulated and 379 downregulated. In adult brains, 381 genes were upregulated and 1037 downregulated.
- Affected genes regulate critical processes including cell cycle, neurogenesis, differentiation, and phospholipid metabolism. Some genes known to be methylation-regulated were suppressed.
Conclusions:
- The absence of PEMT profoundly impacts brain gene expression, consistent with previously reported biochemical changes.
- This study provides the first comprehensive gene expression profile of the Pemt knockout mouse brain, highlighting molecular pathways affected by impaired choline synthesis.
