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Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

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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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Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
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Insulin secretory vesicles release insulin to stimulate blood glucose uptake and regulate carbohydrate metabolism. When the blood glucose levels increase, glucose enters the pancreatic β-islet cells through glucose transporters. Once inside, glucose is metabolized through glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain, producing ATP. This increase in ATP concentration closes ATP-sensitive potassium channels, leading to depolarization of the membrane and the opening of...
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Imprinted Genes Impact Upon Beta Cell Function in the Current (and Potentially Next) Generation.

Chelsie Villanueva-Hayes1, Steven J Millership1

  • 1Section of Cell Biology and Functional Genomics, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.

Frontiers in Endocrinology
|May 14, 2021
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Summary

Epigenetic regulation of imprinted genes in beta cells is crucial for type 2 diabetes. Parental diet impacts offspring

Keywords:
beta cell functiondietgenomic imprintingmethylationnutritional regulationpancreatic isletstype 2 diabetes

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Epigenetics
  • Metabolic Diseases

Background:

  • Beta cell dysfunction is central to type 2 diabetes pathogenesis.
  • Epigenetic mechanisms, particularly imprinted genes, regulate critical beta cell genes.
  • Imprinted genes exhibit parent-of-origin-specific expression due to DNA methylation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the functional importance of imprinted genes in beta cells.
  • To discuss the nutritional regulation of imprinted genes by diet.
  • To examine altered imprinted gene methylation and expression in diabetes models and human islets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on imprinted genes in beta cell function and type 2 diabetes.
  • Analysis of evidence from rodent models and human type 2 diabetic islets.
  • Discussion of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance and nutritional influences.

Main Results:

  • Imprinted genes play key functional roles in beta cells.
  • Dietary factors, especially overnutrition, can deregulate imprinted genes.
  • Altered methylation and expression of imprinted genes are observed in diabetes contexts.
  • Early life nutrition impacts adult T2D risk via imprinted gene modulation.

Conclusions:

  • Imprinted genes are critical targets for understanding and potentially treating type 2 diabetes.
  • Nutritional interventions, particularly concerning parental diet, may influence imprinted gene expression and T2D risk across generations.
  • Imprinted loci offer valuable models for studying diet-induced epigenomic changes in beta cells.