Methylation of avpr1a in the cortex of wild prairie voles: effects of CpG position and polymorphism.

ABSTRACT: DNA methylation can cause stable changes in neuronal gene expression, but we know little about its role in individual differences in the wild. In this study, we focus on the vasopressin 1a receptor (avpr1a), a gene extensively implicated in vertebrate social behaviour, and explore natural variation in DNA methylation, genetic polymorphism and neuronal gene expression among 30 wild prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Examination of CpG density across 8 kb of the locus revealed two distinct CpG islands overlapping promoter and first exon, characterized by few CpG polymorphisms. We used a targeted bisulfite sequencing approach to measure DNA methylation across approximately 3 kb of avpr1a in the retrosplenial cortex, a brain region implicated in male space use and sexua

SUBMITTER: Okhovat M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5319330 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature