DNA methylation differences at growth related genes correlate with birth weight: a molecular signature linked to developmental origins of adult disease?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Infant birth weight is a complex quantitative trait associated with both neonatal and long-term health outcomes. Numerous studies have been published in which candidate genes (IGF1, IGF2, IGF2R, IGF binding proteins, PHLDA2 and PLAGL1) have been associated with birth weight, but these studies are difficult to reproduce in man and large cohort studies are needed due to the large inter individual variance in transcription levels. Also, very little of the trait variance is explained. We decided to identify additional candidates without regard for what is known about the genes. We hypothesize that DNA methylation differences between individuals can serve as markers of gene "expression potential" at growth related genes throughout development and that these differences may co

SUBMITTER: Turan N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3359247 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature