Maternal Metabolic State and Fetal Sex and Genotype Modulate Methylation of the Serotonin Receptor Type 2A Gene (HTR2A) in the Human Placenta.

ABSTRACT: The serotonin receptor 2A gene (HTR2A) is a strong candidate for the fetal programming of future behavior and metabolism. Maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been associated with an increased risk of metabolic and psychological problems in offspring. We tested the hypothesis that maternal metabolic status affects methylation of HTR2A in the placenta. The prospective study included 199 pairs of mothers and healthy full-term newborns. Genomic DNA was extracted from feto-placental samples and analyzed for genotypes of two polymorphisms (rs6311, rs6306) and methylation of four cytosine residues (-1665, -1439, -1421, -1224) in the HTR2A promoter region. Placental HTR2A promoter methylation was higher in male than female placentas and depended on both rs6311 and rs6306

SUBMITTER: Horvaticek M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8962258 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature