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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.
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Methylation is a phase II biotransformation process involving the attachment of a methyl group to a substrate. Enzymes known as methyltransferases orchestrate this reaction.
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Methylmercury Epigenetics.

Megan Culbreth1, Michael Aschner2

  • 1Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.

Toxics
|November 14, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure alters epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and microRNA (miRNA) expression, particularly in the brain. Some of these changes are heritable, impacting development and behavior.

Keywords:
DNA methylationepigeneticshistone modificationsmethylmercury (MeHg)microRNA (miRNA)transgenerational inheritance

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Area of Science:

  • Neurotoxicology
  • Epigenetics
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Methylmercury (MeHg) is a potent neurotoxicant primarily studied for its effects on nervous system development.
  • Epigenetic modifications are increasingly recognized as key mechanisms underlying MeHg toxicity.
  • Research on MeHg and epigenetics has significantly advanced, especially concerning brain-specific effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize current knowledge on MeHg-induced epigenetic modifications.
  • To explore the impact of these modifications on biological and behavioral outcomes.
  • To highlight the transgenerational inheritance of MeHg's epigenetic effects.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of in vitro and in vivo controlled exposure studies.
  • Review of human epidemiological data.
  • Correlation of observed epigenetic changes with known MeHg toxicity mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • MeHg exposure alters microRNA (miRNA) expression, histone modifications, and DNA methylation.
  • Downregulation of miRNA expression and reduced global histone acetylation are commonly observed.
  • Transgenerational epigenetic effects, including biological and behavioral alterations in unexposed offspring, have been documented.

Conclusions:

  • MeHg induces widespread epigenetic changes in the brain, affecting gene expression and potentially leading to toxicity.
  • Observed epigenetic modifications correlate with known MeHg toxicity pathways.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the functional consequences of these epigenetic alterations and their role in MeHg toxicity.