The mitoepigenome responds to stress, suggesting novel mito-nuclear interactions in vertebrates.

ABSTRACT: The mitochondria are central in the cellular response to changing environmental conditions resulting from disease states, environmental exposures or normal physiological processes. Although the influences of environmental stressors upon the nuclear epigenome are well characterized, the existence and role of the mitochondrial epigenome remains contentious. Here, by quantifying the mitochondrial epigenomic response of pineal gland cells to circadian stress, we confirm the presence of extensive cytosine methylation within the mitochondrial genome. Furthermore, we identify distinct epigenetically plastic regions (mtDMRs) which vary in cytosinic methylation, primarily in a non CpG context, in response to stress and in a sex-specific manner. Motifs enriched in mtDMRs contain recognition sites fo

SUBMITTER: Lees J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10515078 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature