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Oregonin from Alnus incana bark affects DNA methyltransferases expression and mitochondrial DNA copies in mouse

Jelena Krasilnikova1, Liga Lauberte2, Elena Stoyanova3

  • 1a Department of Biochemistry , Stradiņš University , Riga , Latvia.

Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry
|June 8, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Oregonin, a compound from Alnus incana bark, impacts epigenetic regulation by altering DNA methyltransferases and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy numbers. This suggests a novel mechanism for its therapeutic potential in metabolic disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Oregonin, an open-chain diarylheptanoid from Alnus incana bark, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-adipogenic properties.
  • It shows potential in preventing obesity and related metabolic disorders.
  • The precise epigenetic mechanisms underlying oregonin's effects are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of oregonin on epigenetic regulation in cells.
  • To determine oregonin's ability to modulate DNA methylating enzymes expression.
  • To assess oregonin's impact on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy numbers.

Main Methods:

  • Cellular assays to examine epigenetic modifications.
  • Quantitative analysis of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) mRNA expression.
  • Measurement of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy numbers.
  • Molecular modeling to predict oregonin's interaction with DNMTs.

Main Results:

  • Oregonin altered the expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and mtDNA copy numbers in a concentration- and cell-type-dependent manner.
  • A significant correlation was observed between mtDNA copy numbers and the mRNA expression of mtDnmt1 and Dnmt3b.
  • Molecular modeling indicated that oregonin binds to the catalytic site of DNMT1, potentially interfering with cofactor binding.

Conclusions:

  • Oregonin influences key players in DNA methylation, including DNMT transcripts and mtDNA.
  • These findings elucidate a novel epigenetic mechanism for oregonin's biological activities.
  • Oregonin's potential to modulate DNA methylation warrants further investigation for therapeutic applications in metabolic diseases.
Keywords:
Alnus incana barkDNA methyltransferases mRNAsOregoninmtDNA copy

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