Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

28.7K
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
28.7K
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

3.5K
Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
3.5K
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

30.2K
Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
30.2K
Regulation of Metabolism01:19

Regulation of Metabolism

9.1K
Cellular needs and conditions vary from cell to cell and change within individual cells over time. For example, the required enzymes and energetic demands of stomach cells are different from those of fat storage cells, skin cells, blood cells, and nerve cells. Furthermore, a digestive cell works much harder to process and break down nutrients during the time that closely follows a meal compared with many hours after a meal. As these cellular demands and conditions vary, so do the amounts and...
9.1K
In-vitro Mutagenesis01:16

In-vitro Mutagenesis

14.8K
To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
14.8K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

3.0K
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Intra-Arterial Transplantation of Human Glial Progenitor Cells Promotes Neurogenesis and Functional Recovery After Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury.

Current neuropharmacology·2026
Same author

Analysis of Purity and Quality of Small Extracellular Vesicles Isolated from Blood Plasma by Proteomics and Raman Spectroscopy.

Biochemistry. Biokhimiia·2026
Same author

Inhibitor of hyaluronic acid synthesis 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) as a potential anti-inflammatory substance in acute neuroinflammation model in vivo.

Inflammopharmacology·2025
Same author

Xyloglucan Endotransglycosylase/Hydrolase Downregulation Increases <i>Nicotiana benthamiana</i> Tolerance to Tobacco Mosaic Virus Infection.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025
Same author

<i>Nicotiana tabacum</i> Kunitz Peptidase Inhibitor-like Protein Regulates Intercellular Transport.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland)·2025
Same author

Signalomics for molecular tumor boards and precision oncology of breast and gynecological cancers.

Molecular systems biology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

Methanol Independent Expression by Pichia Pastoris Employing De-repression Technologies
05:30

Methanol Independent Expression by Pichia Pastoris Employing De-repression Technologies

Published on: January 23, 2019

15.6K

Endogenous methanol regulates mammalian gene activity.

Tatiana V Komarova1, Igor V Petrunia2, Anastasia V Shindyapina2

  • 1A. N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia ; N. I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia.

Plos One
|March 4, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Endogenous methanol, previously thought toxic, may regulate homeostasis. Studies show it influences mRNA synthesis in detoxification and signaling pathways, challenging its role as mere waste.

More Related Videos

In vivo Application of the REMOTE-control System for the Manipulation of Endogenous Gene Expression
08:54

In vivo Application of the REMOTE-control System for the Manipulation of Endogenous Gene Expression

Published on: March 29, 2019

8.2K
Methodology for Accurate Detection of Mitochondrial DNA Methylation
12:11

Methodology for Accurate Detection of Mitochondrial DNA Methylation

Published on: May 20, 2018

13.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 2, 2026

Methanol Independent Expression by Pichia Pastoris Employing De-repression Technologies
05:30

Methanol Independent Expression by Pichia Pastoris Employing De-repression Technologies

Published on: January 23, 2019

15.6K
In vivo Application of the REMOTE-control System for the Manipulation of Endogenous Gene Expression
08:54

In vivo Application of the REMOTE-control System for the Manipulation of Endogenous Gene Expression

Published on: March 29, 2019

8.2K
Methodology for Accurate Detection of Mitochondrial DNA Methylation
12:11

Methodology for Accurate Detection of Mitochondrial DNA Methylation

Published on: May 20, 2018

13.2K

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Methanol is typically viewed as toxic in mammals, metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) to formaldehyde.
  • Detection of methanol in healthy individuals suggests a potential physiological role beyond a toxic byproduct.
  • Plant-derived methanol acts as a signaling molecule, hinting at broader biological functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the physiological role of endogenous methanol in mammals.
  • Determine the metabolic pathways and enzymes involved in methanol regulation.
  • Explore methanol's potential function as a signaling molecule or regulator of homeostasis.

Main Methods:

  • Genome-wide mRNA analysis in mouse brains.
  • Administration of alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor (4-methylpyrazole) in mice.
  • Intraperitoneal and portal vein injections to assess methanol metabolism.
  • Analysis of methanol, ethanol, and formaldehyde concentrations in plasma and liver homogenates.
  • Assessment of intestinal role in methanol production via intestinal removal.

Main Results:

  • Increased blood methanol altered mRNA accumulation in detoxification and alcohol/aldehyde dehydrogenase gene regulation.
  • Inhibition of ADH significantly increased plasma methanol, ethanol, and formaldehyde levels.
  • Intestinal removal decreased methanol addition to plasma, suggesting gut flora involvement in production.
  • Liver ADH is the primary enzyme for methanol metabolism, with increased methanol/ethanol in liver homogenates after 4-MP administration.
  • Liver mRNA analysis revealed changes in genes related to cell signaling and detoxification.

Conclusions:

  • Endogenous methanol may play a regulatory role in homeostasis.
  • Methanol influences mRNA synthesis, particularly in detoxification and cell signaling pathways.
  • The gut microbiome likely contributes to endogenous methanol production.
  • Alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver is crucial for metabolizing methanol.