Ovarian hormones induce de novo DNA methyltransferase expression in the Siberian hamster suprachiasmatic nucleus

Coyle, C.S., Caso, F., Tolla, E., Barrett, P.J., Onishi, K.G., Tello, J.A. and Stevenson, T.J. (2020) Ovarian hormones induce de novo DNA methyltransferase expression in the Siberian hamster suprachiasmatic nucleus. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 32(2), e12819. (doi: 10.1111/jne.12819) (PMID:31800973)

Abstract

Experiments investigated neuroanatomically localized changes in de novo DNA methyltransferase expression in the female Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus). The objectives were to identify the neuroendocrine substrates that exhibit rhythmic Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b expression across the oestrous cycle and examine the role of ovarian steroids. Hypothalamic Dnmt3a expression was observed to significantly increase during the transition from proestrous to oestrous. A single bolus injection of diethylstilbestrol (DES) and progesterone was sufficient to increase Dnmt3a cell numbers and Dnmt3b immunoreactive intensity in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). In vitro analyses using an embryonic rodent cell line revealed that DES was sufficient to induce Dnmt3b expression. Upregulating DNA methylation in vitro reduced expression of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, Vip, and the circadian clock gene, Bmal1. Together, these data indicate that ovarian steroids drive de novo DNA methyltransferase expression in the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus and increased methylation may regulate genes involved in the circadian timing of oestrous: Vip and Bmal1. Overall, epigenetically mediated neuroendocrine reproductive events may reflect an evolutionarily ancient process involved in the timing of female fertility.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stevenson, Professor Tyler and Tolla, Elisabetta
• Authors: Coyle, C.S., Caso, F., Tolla, E., Barrett, P.J., Onishi, K.G., Tello, J.A., and Stevenson, T.J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Journal of Neuroendocrinology
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0953-8194
• ISSN (Online): 1365-2826
• Published Online: 04 December 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 British Society for Neuroendocrinology
• First Published: First published in Journal of Neuroendocrinology 32(2):e12819
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy