Dietary choline deficiency causes DNA strand breaks and alters epigenetic marks on DNA and histones.

ABSTRACT: Dietary choline is an important modulator of gene expression (via epigenetic marks) and of DNA integrity. Choline was discovered to be an essential nutrient for some humans approximately one decade ago. This requirement is diminished in young women because estrogen drives endogenous synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, from which choline can be derived. Almost half of women have a single nucleotide polymorphism that abrogates estrogen-induction of endogenous synthesis, and these women require dietary choline just as do men. In the US, dietary intake of choline is marginal. Choline deficiency in people is associated with liver and muscle dysfunction and damage, with apoptosis, and with increased DNA strand breaks. Several mechanisms explain these modifications to DNA. Choline deficiency increa

SUBMITTER: Zeisel SH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3319504 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature