Epigenetic programming of mu-opioid receptor gene in mouse brain is regulated by MeCP2 and Brg1 chromatin remodelling factor.

ABSTRACT: The pharmacological action of morphine as a pain medication is mediated primarily through the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). With few exceptions, MOR is expressed in brain regions where opioid actions take place. The basis for this unique spatial expression of MOR remains undetermined. Recently, we reported that DNA methylation of the MOR promoter plays an important role in regulating MOR in P19 cells. In this study, we show that the differential expression of MOR in microdissected mouse brain regions coincides with DNA methylation and histone modifications. MOR expression could be induced by a demethylating agent or a histone deacetylase inhibitor in MOR-negative cells, suggesting that the MOR gene can be silenced under epigenetic control. Increases in the in vivo interaction of methyl-CpG-bin

SUBMITTER: Hwang CK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4516510 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature