Epigenetic codes in cognition and behaviour.
TL;DR: Recent findings on the role and mechanisms of epigenetic codes in the brain are described, and their implication in synaptic plasticity, cognitive functions and psychiatric disorders are discussed.
About: This article is published in Behavioural Brain Research.The article was published on 2008-09-01. It has received 260 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Epigenetic code & Epigenetics.
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TL;DR: These studies indicate that SES is an important predictor of neurocognitive performance, particularly of language and executive function, and that S ES differences are found in neural processing even when performance levels are equal.
1,258 citations
TL;DR: An epigenetic molecular mechanism potentially underlying lifelong and transgenerational perpetuation of changes in gene expression and behavior incited by early abuse and neglect is highlighted.
1,176 citations
TL;DR: The results of this work suggest that patterns of transcription regulation represent the molecular signatures of long-term synaptic changes and memory formation.
Abstract: Transcription is a molecular requisite for long-term synaptic plasticity and long-term memory formation. Thus, in the last several years, one main interest of molecular neuroscience has been the identification of families of transcription factors that are involved in both of these processes. Transcription is a highly regulated process that involves the combined interaction and function of chromatin and many other proteins, some of which are essential for the basal process of transcription, while others control the selective activation or repression of specific genes. These regulated interactions ultimately allow a sophisticated response to multiple environmental conditions, as well as control of spatial and temporal differences in gene expression. Evidence based on correlative changes in expression, genetic mutations, and targeted molecular inhibition of gene expression have shed light on the function of transcription in both synaptic plasticity and memory formation. This review provides a brief overview ...
902 citations
Cites background from "Epigenetic codes in cognition and b..."
...[From Gräff and Mansuy (82), with permission from Elsevier....
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...[From Gräff and Mansuy (82), with permission from Elsevier.]...
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TL;DR: As histone acetylation and cognitive functions can be pharmacologically restored by histone deacetylase inhibitors, this epigenetic modification might constitute a molecular memory aid on the chromatin and, by extension, a new template for therapeutic interventions against cognitive frailty.
Abstract: Long-lasting memories require specific gene expression programmes that are, in part, orchestrated by epigenetic mechanisms. Of the epigenetic modifications identified in cognitive processes, histone acetylation has spurred considerable interest. Whereas increments in histone acetylation have consistently been shown to favour learning and memory, a lack thereof has been causally implicated in cognitive impairments in neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegeneration and ageing. As histone acetylation and cognitive functions can be pharmacologically restored by histone deacetylase inhibitors, this epigenetic modification might constitute a molecular memory aid on the chromatin and, by extension, a new template for therapeutic interventions against cognitive frailty.
506 citations
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TL;DR: This Review develops four defining criteria that enable us to critically assess the recent progress that has been made towards finding the engram, and proposes that findings from 'capture' studies represent considerable progress in allowing us to observe, erase and express the engrams.
Abstract: Many attempts have been made to localize the physical trace of a memory, or engram, in the brain However, until recently, engrams have remained largely elusive In this Review, we develop four defining criteria that enable us to critically assess the recent progress that has been made towards finding the engram Recent 'capture' studies use novel approaches to tag populations of neurons that are active during memory encoding, thereby allowing these engram-associated neurons to be manipulated at later times We propose that findings from these capture studies represent considerable progress in allowing us to observe, erase and express the engram
464 citations
References
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TL;DR: It is concluded that sex-specific, male-line transgenerational responses exist in humans and hypothesise that these transmissions are mediated by the sex chromosomes, X and Y and add an entirely new dimension to the study of gene–environment interactions in development and health.
Abstract: Transgenerational effects of maternal nutrition or other environmental ‘exposures’ are well recognised, but the possibility of exposure in the male influencing development and health in the next generation(s) is rarely considered. However, historical associations of longevity with paternal ancestors’ food supply in the slow growth period (SGP) in mid childhood have been reported. Using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), we identified 166 fathers who reported starting smoking before age 11 years and compared the growth of their offspring with those with a later paternal onset of smoking, after correcting for confounders. We analysed food supply effects on offspring and grandchild mortality risk ratios (RR) using 303 probands and
1,043 citations
"Epigenetic codes in cognition and b..." refers background in this paper
...In ontrast, a surplus of food for the paternal grandfather during GV increased mortality risk due to diabetes in both daughers and sons [142,144]....
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...A similar phenomenon was observed or the paternal grandmother’s food supply during SGV, but nly in granddaughters [144]....
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...[144] Pembrey ME, Bygren LO, Kaati G, Edvinsson S, Northstone K, Sjostrom...
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TL;DR: It is reported that feeding pregnant black a/a dams methyl‐supplemented diets alters epigenetic regulation of ag outi expression in their offspring, as indicated by increased agouti/black mottling in the direction of the pseudoagouti phenotype.
Abstract: 'Viable yellow' (Avy/a) mice are larger, obese, hyperinsulinemic, more susceptible to cancer, and, on average, shorter lived than their non-yellow siblings. They are epigenetic mosaics ranging from a yellow phenotype with maximum ectopic agouti overexpression, through a continuum of mottled agouti/yellow phenotypes with partial agouti overexpression, to a pseudoagouti phenotype with minimal ectopic expression. Pseudoagouti Avy/a mice are lean, healthy, and longer lived than their yellow siblings. Here we report that feeding pregnant black a/a dams methyl-supplemented diets alters epigenetic regulation of agouti expression in their offspring, as indicated by increased agouti/black mottling in the direction of the pseudoagouti phenotype. We also present confirmatory evidence that epigenetic phenotypes are maternally heritable. Thus Avy expression, already known to be modulated by imprinting, strain-specific modification, and maternal epigenetic inheritance, is also modulated by maternal diet. These observations suggest, at least in this special case, that maternal dietary supplementation may positively affect health and longevity of the offspring. Therefore, this experimental system should be useful for identifying maternal factors that modulate epigenetic mechanisms, especially DNA methylation, in developing embryos.
1,039 citations
"Epigenetic codes in cognition and b..." refers background in this paper
...[120] Wolff GL, Kodell RL, Moore SR, Cooney CA....
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...Coat colour can readily be manipuated by feeding gestating females with a methyl-supplemented iet [120], through a mechanism involving differential LTR ethylation [121,122]....
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TL;DR: This review concludes with a recommendation that further studies are needed into the determinants of immune-inflammatory bowel disease and the Kessler-Corsi verdict is in order.
981 citations
"Epigenetic codes in cognition and b..." refers background in this paper
...In particular, H3 hosphorylation is thought to serve as a molecular integraor of intracytoplasmic signaling pathways and nuclear events reviewed in [52]), and has been shown to be critical for gene ranscription associated with memory [53]....
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...[52] Cheung P, Allis CD, Sassone-Corsi P....
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TL;DR: Findings indicate considerable, normal variations in licking/grooming in the rat that are a stable, individual characteristic of rat dams.
950 citations
"Epigenetic codes in cognition and b..." refers background in this paper
...In rodents, maternal care is characterized by complex ehaviours such as arched-back nursing (ABN) and licking nd grooming (LG) that vary greatly between individuals and trains [105]....
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...[105] Champagne FA, Francis DD, Mar A, Meaney MJ....
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TL;DR: It is reported that maternal dietary genistein supplementation of mice during gestation, at levels comparable with humans consuming high-soy diets, shifted the coat color of heterozygous viable yellow agouti (Avy/a) offspring toward pseudoagouti, providing the first evidence that in utero dietarygenistein affects gene expression and alters susceptibility to obesity in adulthood by permanently altering the epigenome.
Abstract: Genistein, the major phytoestrogen in soy, is linked to diminished female reproductive performance and to cancer chemoprevention and decreased adipose deposition. Dietary genistein may also play a role in the decreased incidence of cancer in Asians compared with Westerners, as well as increased cancer incidence in Asians immigrating to the United States. Here, we report that maternal dietary genistein supplementation of mice during gestation, at levels comparable with humans consuming high-soy diets, shifted the coat color of heterozygous viable yellow agouti (A(vy/a) offspring toward pseudoagouti. This marked phenotypic change was significantly associated with increased methylation of six cytosine-guanine sites in a retrotransposon upstream of the transcription start site of the Agouti gene. The extent of this DNA methylation was similar in endodermal, mesodermal, and ectodermal tissues, indicating that genistein acts during early embryonic development. Moreover, this genistein-induced hypermethylation persisted into adulthood, decreasing ectopic Agouti expression and protecting offspring from obesity. Thus, we provide the first evidence that in utero dietary genistein affects gene expression and alters susceptibility to obesity in adulthood by permanently altering the epigenome.
912 citations
"Epigenetic codes in cognition and b..." refers background in this paper
...[128] Dolinoy DC, Weidman JR, Waterland RA, Jirtle RL....
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