Adult monozygotic twins discordant for intra-uterine growth have indistinguishable genome-wide DNA methylation profiles.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Low birth weight is associated with an increased adult metabolic disease risk. It is widely discussed that poor intra-uterine conditions could induce long-lasting epigenetic modifications, leading to systemic changes in regulation of metabolic genes. To address this, we acquire genome-wide DNA methylation profiles from saliva DNA in a unique cohort of 17 monozygotic monochorionic female twins very discordant for birth weight. We examine if adverse prenatal growth conditions experienced by the smaller co-twins lead to long-lasting DNA methylation changes.

Results

Overall, co-twins show very similar genome-wide DNA methylation profiles. Since observed differences are almost exclusively caused by variable cellular composition, an original marker-based adjustment stra

SUBMITTER: Souren NY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4054831 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature