Differential SLC6A4 methylation: a predictive epigenetic marker of adiposity from birth to adulthood.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The early life environment may influence susceptibility to obesity and metabolic disease in later life through epigenetic processes. SLC6A4 is an important mediator of serotonin bioavailability, and has a key role in energy balance. We tested the hypothesis that methylation of the SLC6A4 gene predicts adiposity across the life course.

Methods

DNA methylation at 5 CpGs within the SLC6A4 gene identified from a previous methyl binding domain array was measured by pyrosequencing. We measured DNA methylation in umbilical cord (UC) from children in the Southampton Women's Survey cohort (n = 680), in peripheral blood from adolescents in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort Study (n = 812), and in adipose tissue from lean and obese adults from the UK BIOCLAIMS cohort (

SUBMITTER: Lillycrop KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6522375 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature