Effect of maternal and post-weaning folate supply on gene-specific DNA methylation in the small intestine of weaning and adult apc and wild type mice.

ABSTRACT: Increasing evidence supports the developmental origins of adult health and disease hypothesis which argues for a causal relationship between adverse early life nutrition and increased disease risk in adulthood. Modulation of epigenetic marks, e.g., DNA methylation and consequential altered gene expression, has been proposed as a mechanism mediating these effects. Via its role as a methyl donor, dietary folate supply may influence DNA methylation. As aberrant methylation is an early event in colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis, we hypothesized low maternal and/or post-weaning folate intake may influence methylation of genes involved in CRC development. We investigated the effects of maternal folate depletion during pregnancy and lactation on selected gene methylation in the small intestine

SUBMITTER: McKay JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3268578 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature