Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
08:51
Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models
Published on: July 21, 2011
37.4K
Maternal Methyl Donor Nutrients Modulate Developmental Genes in Mammary Tumors
Lawrence Mabasa1,2, Anri Kotze1, Rabia Johnson1,2
1Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, Cape Town 7505, South Africa.
Biology
|April 27, 2026
Summary
Maternal lipotrope (methyl donor nutrient) supplementation during pregnancy and lactation reduced the expression of cancer-associated genes in offspring. This highlights maternal nutrition
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Nutritional Epigenetics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Maternal nutrition critically influences offspring's long-term health and disease susceptibility.
- Specific nutrients, like lipotropes (methyl donors), may impact developmental programming and cancer risk.
- Gene expression changes in offspring tumors can reveal molecular mechanisms of maternal influence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if maternal lipotrope intake affects gene expression in 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors in female offspring.
- To determine the impact of maternal methyl donor nutrition on key developmental, tumorigenesis, and epigenetic genes in offspring tumors.
Main Methods:
- Timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats received control or lipotrope-supplemented diets.
- Female offspring were exposed to DMBA at puberty; mammary tumors were analyzed.
- Gene expression of developmental (Tbx2, Tbx3), tumor (Tp53), epigenetic (Hdac1, Dnmt1, Mthfr), and estrogen receptor (Esr1) genes was quantified.
Main Results:
- DMBA-induced tumors showed upregulation of fetal mammary developmental genes, Tp53, epigenetic regulators, and Esr1.
- Maternal lipotrope supplementation significantly attenuated the expression of these genes in offspring tumors.
- Vitamin B6 co-supplementation effects were also assessed.
Conclusions:
- Maternal methyl donor nutrition can modulate tumor-associated gene expression in offspring.
- This modulation may occur by limiting the reactivation of developmental and epigenetic pathways.
- Maternal nutrition is a critical, modifiable factor for early-life health programming and cancer prevention.
Related Concept Videos
02:30Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance
30.1K
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...
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
30.1K
01:46Epigenetic 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
01:37Epigenetic Regulation
3.4K
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...
X-chromosome...
3.4K
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
4.0K
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.0K