Neonatal MeCP2 is important for the organization of sex differences in vasopressin expression

Forbes-Lorman, Robin M.; Rautio, Jared J.; Kurian, Joseph R.; Auger, Anthony P.; Auger, Catherine J.

doi:10.4161/epi.7.3.19265

Cited by 42 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 54 publications

(62 reference statements)

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“…As shown in data from rats (Forbes-Lorman et al, 2012) and mice (Murgatroyd et al, 2009), MECP2 may also be involved in regulating the expression of the Avp gene in mouse amygdala. Our own preliminary data (not shown) also suggests that MECP2 binds the Avp promoter in amygdala tissues.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…In rats, expression of the Nuclear receptor corepressor ( Ncor ) and Methyl CpG Binding Protein 2 ( Mecp2 ) genes during early postnatal development is important for the organization of sex differences in juvenile play behavior (Kurian et al, 2008; Jessen et al, 2010). The vasopressin system (Szot and Dorsa, 1993; Forbes-Lorman et al, 2012), and Mecp2 mRNA are both sexually dimorphic in the rat amygdala during development (Kurian et al, 2007). Some histone modifications are sexually dimorphic in the cortex and hippocampus during mouse development, and may also contribute to sex differences in the brain (Tsai et al, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Number of X-chromosome genes influences social behavior and vasopressin gene expression in mice

Cox

Quinnies

Eschendroeder

et al. 2015

Psychoneuroendocrinology

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Summary Sex differences in behavior are widespread and often caused by hormonal differences between the sexes. In addition to hormones, the composition and numbers of the sex chromosomes also affect a variety of sex differences. In humans, X-chromosome genes are implicated in neurobehavioral disorders (i.e. fragile-X, autism). To investigate the role of X-chromosome genes in social behavior, we used a mouse model that has atypical sex chromosome configurations resembling Turner (45, XO) and Klinefelter syndromes (47, XXY). We examined a number of behaviors in juvenile mice. Mice with only one copy of most X-chromosome genes, regardless of gonadal sex, were less social in dyadic interaction and social preference tasks. In the elevated plus maze, mice with one X-chromosome spent less time in the distal ends of the open arms as compared to mice with two copies of X-chromosome genes. Using qRTPCR, we noted that amygdala from female mice with one X-chromosome had higher expression levels of vasopressin (Avp) as compared to mice in the other groups. Finally, in plasma from girls with Turner syndrome we detected reduced vasopressin (AVP) concentrations as compared to control patients. These novel findings link sex chromosome genes with social behavior via concentrations of AVP in brain, adding to our understanding of sex differences in neurobehavioral disorders.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Number of X-chromosome genes influences social behavior and vasopressin gene expression in mice

Cox

Quinnies

Eschendroeder

et al. 2015

Psychoneuroendocrinology

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“…Studies also suggest sex differences in the vasopressin system. For example, adult male mice show denser vasopressin innervations originating from the PVN compared to adult female mice [48] and early adolescent male rats show higher levels of vasopressin mRNA in the amygdala compared to early adolescent female rats [49]. The potential differences in the vasopressin system between male and female mice during early adolescence may result in the system being more vulnerable to MA among males.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-Term Effects of Early Adolescent Methamphetamine Exposure on Depression-Like Behavior and the Hypothalamic Vasopressin System in Mice

Joca

Zuloaga²,

Raber³

et al. 2014

Dev Neurosci

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Methamphetamine (MA) has neurotoxic effects on the adult human brain that can lead to deficits in behavior and cognition. However, relatively little research has examined the behavioral or neurotoxic effects of MA in adolescents. The rising rates of adolescent MA use make it imperative that we understand the long-term effects of MA exposure on the adolescent brain and how these effects may differ from those seen in adults. In this study, the long-term effects of MA exposure during early adolescence on behavior and the vasopressin system in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus in late adolescent and adult male and female C57BL/6J mice were examined. MA exposure increased depression-like behavior in the Porsolt forced swim test in both late adolescent and adult male and female mice. Late adolescent male mice exposed to MA also showed a decrease in the number of vasopressin-immunoreactive neurons in the paraventricular nucleus compared to sex-matched saline-treated controls. Thus, similar to humans exposed to MA during adolescence, mice exposed to MA during adolescence show increased depression-like behavior later in life. These changes in behavior may be related to MA-induced alterations in vasopressin and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, especially in males.

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“…Transient knock-down of MeCP2 on P0 to P2 in rats resulted in prolonged alteration in protein levels in the adult limbic circuitry. Specifically, sex differences in AVP-immunoreactive cells (males > females) in the central amygdala, BNST, and projection fibers in the lateral septum were abolished and male levels were reduced to female levels (Forbes-Lorman et al, 2012), suggesting that MeCP2 plays a role in sexual differentiation of the limbic circuitry.…”

Section: Dna Methylation Sexual Differentiation Of the Brain Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The deacetylation of histones leads to transcriptional repression by increasing the interaction of DNA with histones, as will be discussed in more detail below [Reviewed in (Jaenisch and Bird, 2003)]. While there are a number of methyl binding proteins, the only one investigated as a potential regulator of sexual differentiation of the brain is methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 [MeCP2; (Kurian et al, 2007; Kurian et al, 2008; Forbes-Lorman et al, 2012)]. MeCP2 is an X-linked gene commonly associated with the neurodevelopmental disorder, Rett’s syndrome (Amir et al, 1999; Samaco et al, 2005; Chahrour and Zoghbi, 2007).…”

Section: Dna Methylation Sexual Differentiation Of the Brain Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epigenetic impacts of endocrine disruptors in the brain

Walker

Gore

2017

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

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The acquisition of reproductive competence is organized and activated by steroid hormones acting upon the hypothalamus during critical windows of development. This review describes the potential role of epigenetic processes, particularly DNA methylation, in the regulation of sexual differentiation of the hypothalamus by hormones. We examine disruption of these processes by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in an age-, sex-, and region-specific manner, focusing on how perinatal EDCs act through epigenetic mechanisms to reprogram DNA methylation and sex steroid hormone receptor expression throughout life. These receptors are necessary for brain sexual differentiation and their altered expression may underlie disrupted reproductive physiology and behavior. Finally, we review the literature on histone modifications and non-coding RNA involvement in brain sexual differentiation and their perturbation by EDCs. By putting these data into a sex and developmental context we conclude that perinatal EDC exposure alters the developmental trajectory of reproductive neuroendocrine systems in a sex-specific manner.

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Neonatal MeCP2 is important for the organization of sex differences in vasopressin expression

Cited by 42 publications

References 54 publications

Number of X-chromosome genes influences social behavior and vasopressin gene expression in mice

Number of X-chromosome genes influences social behavior and vasopressin gene expression in mice

Long-Term Effects of Early Adolescent Methamphetamine Exposure on Depression-Like Behavior and the Hypothalamic Vasopressin System in Mice

Epigenetic impacts of endocrine disruptors in the brain

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