Sperm DNA methylation epimutation biomarker for paternal offspring autism susceptibility.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased over tenfold over the past several decades and appears predominantly associated with paternal transmission. Although genetics is anticipated to be a component of ASD etiology, environmental epigenetics is now also thought to be an important factor. Epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation, have been correlated with ASD. The current study was designed to identify a DNA methylation signature in sperm as a potential biomarker to identify paternal offspring autism susceptibility.

Methods and results

Sperm samples were obtained from fathers that have children with or without autism, and the sperm then assessed for alterations in DNA methylation. A genome-wide analysis (> 90%) for differential DNA methylation regions (

SUBMITTER: Garrido N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7789568 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature