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Dietary magnesium deficiency induces the expression of neuroinflammation-related genes in mouse brain
Ryuhei Tsuji1,2, Hirofumi Inoue3, Mariko Uehara3
1Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate school of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Aims:
Dietary Mg2+ deficiency (MgD) impairs hippocampus-dependent memory in mice; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying MgD-induced memory impairments are unclear. Here, we investigated the molecular signatures in the hippocampus of MgD mice by analyzing the hippocampal transcriptome.
Methods:
We performed RNA-sequencing of the hippocampal transcriptome of MgD mice. We used gene ontology analyses and quantitative real-time PCR to validate the RNA-sequencing results.
Results:
mRNAs for neuroinflammation-related genes were upregulated in the hippocampus and cortex of MgD mice.
Conclusion:
MgD induces neuroinflammation in the mouse brain, including the hippocampus and cortex. Our findings suggest that MgD-induced neuroinflammation triggers the impairments of hippocampus-dependent memory.
Insights
Dietary magnesium (Mg2+) deficiency impairs memory. This study reveals that Mg2+ deficiency triggers neuroinflammation in the mouse hippocampus and cortex, leading to memory deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Dietary magnesium deficiency (MgD) is known to impair hippocampus-dependent memory in mice.
- The precise molecular mechanisms driving these memory impairments remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular signatures in the hippocampus associated with MgD.
- To elucidate the link between MgD, neuroinflammation, and memory deficits.
Main Methods:
- RNA-sequencing was employed to analyze the hippocampal transcriptome of MgD mice.
- Gene ontology analyses and quantitative real-time PCR were used for validation.
Main Results:
- Upregulation of mRNAs associated with neuroinflammation was observed in the hippocampus and cortex of MgD mice.
- Transcriptomic analysis identified key molecular pathways affected by MgD.
Conclusions:
- Dietary Mg2+ deficiency induces significant neuroinflammation in the mouse brain.
- This MgD-induced neuroinflammation is a likely trigger for hippocampus-dependent memory impairments.
