Association of mineralocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C2) hypermethylation in adult males with aggressive behavior

A human-relevant mixture of endocrine disrupting chemicals induces changes in hippocampal DNA methylation correlating with hyperactive behavior in male mice

“…Much fewer studies have linked DNAm at CRHR1 or NR3C2 to behavioral outcomes in rodents or humans. One study describes the association between hypermethylation of NR3C2 in peripheral blood and aggressive behavior in humans (Qing et al, 2021). Yet, in this study, we found a decrease in methylation linked with hyperactivity under intense stress while no correlation with social interaction was observed.…”

Mineralocorticoid receptor and glucocorticoid receptor work alone and together in cell-type-specific manner: Implications for resilience prediction and targeted therapy

“…Trauma exposure during military deployment was associated with an increase in all methylation measures, but development of mental health problems after deployment was only significantly associated with an increased functional methylation (i.e., methylation sites affecting gene expression) ( Schur et al, 2017 ). DNA methylation patterns in NR3C2 are less studied, with the first study showing an association with aggressive behavior in males ( Qing et al, 2021 ). Finally, a pilot study revealed that genetic variation and DNA methylation in NR3C1 were predictors of treatment response to psychotherapy in PTSD subjects ( Yehuda et al, 2013 ).…”

Sex-Dependent Association of DNA Methylation in the Coding Region of the Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Gene and Schizophrenia

“…Our previous studies on the methylation of the NR3C1 and NR3C2 genes in the HPA axis and SCZ patients have produced very significant results. The methylation status of the NR3C1 and NR3C2 genes is significantly associated with SCZ and is sex dependent to some extent (Liu et al 2020a and2020b;Qing et al 2020;Qing et al 2021). Based on the results of this study, we strongly believe that HPA axis methylation can mediate environmental and genetic interactions and affect the pathogenesis of SCZ.…”

“…The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is an important stress response system that maintains homeostasis through the responses to environmental stressors (Russo et al 2012). Our previous studies have shown that DNA methylation of the NR3C1 and NR3C2 genes in the HPA axis leads to a risk of mental illness, including SCZ and aggressive behavior (Liu et al 2020a and2020b;Qing et al 2020;Qing et al 2021). As the central driving force in the HPA axis (Zhou and Fang, 2018), the CRH gene has attracted our attention.…”