Epigenetic Research Papers 4/3/23 - 4/7/23

Lee BB et. al. (March 2023). Metformin regulates expression of DNA methyltransferases through the miR-148/-152 family in non-small lung cancer cells. Clin Epigenetics. 15(1):48.
The paper explores how the anti-diabetic drug metformin downregulates expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. The researchers found that metformin upregulates expression of the miR-148/-152 family, which targets the 3'UTR of DNMTs, leading to reduced DNMT activity in NSCLC cells.
(Products Used: EpiQuik Nuclear Extraction Kit, EpiQuik DNA Methyltransferase (DNMT) Activity/Inhibition Assay Kit)

Bai Z et. al. (March 2023). Inhibition of IL-6 methylation by Saikosaponin C regulates neuroinflammation to alleviate depression. Int Immunopharmacol. 118:110043.
The research investigates the potential of Saikosaponin C (SSc) to alleviate depressive symptoms in mice caused by chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) by regulating neuroinflammation. The study shows that SSc reduces IL-6 methylation, downregulates inflammatory cytokines, increases dendritic spine density, and promotes synaptic plasticity in mice. It also suggests that SSc may potentially treat depression and other neurodegenerative diseases in humans.
(Products Used: EpiQuik Nuclear Extraction Kit)

Cheon H et. al. (March 2023). Epigenetic modification of gene expression in cancer cells by terahertz demethylation. Sci Rep. 13(1):4930.
This paper discusses the use of terahertz (THz) radiation to modify gene expression in cancer cells by demethylation. The study demonstrates that resonant THz radiation can demethylate living melanoma cells and downregulate genes involved in cancer and apoptosis pathways and suggests that THz demethylation has the potential to help treat cancer.
(Products Used: Methylamp Global DNA Methylation Quantification Ultra Kit)

Xu X et. al. (March 2023). DNA Methylation Analysis Identifies Novel Epigenetic Loci in Dilated Murine Heart upon Exposure to Volume Overload. Int J Mol Sci. 24(6)
The research identifies novel epigenetic loci that are hypermethylated in the hearts of mice with volume overload. These loci are associated with the downregulation of genes that are involved in cardiac function. The findings suggest that these epigenetic changes may contribute to the development of heart failure.
(Products Used: Methylamp Methylated DNA Capture (MeDIP) Kit)

Alshamrani AA et. al. (March 2023). DNA Hypomethylation Is Associated with Increased Inflammation in Peripheral Blood Neutrophils of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understanding the Role of Ubiquitous Pollutant Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate. Metabolites. 13(3)
The study finds that children with autism have lower levels of DNMT1, leading to hypomethylation of DNA, which is associated with inflammation. Exposure to DEHP, an environmental pollutant, can further decrease DNMT1 expression and lead to increased inflammation. These findings suggest that epigenetic changes may play a role in the development of autism and that exposure to environmental pollutants may exacerbate these changes.
(Products Used: MethylFlash Global DNA Methylation (5-mC) ELISA Easy Kit (Colorimetric))

Du Y et. al. (March 2023). Sufficient coumarin accumulation improves apple resistance to Cytospora mali under high potassium status. Plant Physiol.
The paper discusses the mechanisms behind how adding potassium to apple trees can improve their resistance to Cytospora canker. The study found that high potassium levels in apple tissues led to upregulation of resistance genes, callose deposition, and the formation of ligno-suberized tissues, which collectively contributed to higher disease resistance. The study also identified that the phenylpropanoid pathway was reprogrammed under high-K conditions, leading to the accumulation of antifungal chemicals.
(Products Used: EpiQuik Plant ChIP Kit)

Wang T et. al. (March 2023). Arabidopsis SRPKII family proteins regulate flowering via phosphorylation of SR proteins and effects on gene expression and alternative splicing. New Phytol.
The paper shows that phosphorylation of serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins by SR protein-specific kinase II family proteins (SRPKIIs) regulates gene transcription and alternative splicing during plant development in Arabidopsis thaliana. SRPKIIs play a crucial role in controlling flowering time by affecting the alternative splicing of genes including FLC (FLOWERING LOCUS C).
(Products Used: EpiQuik Plant ChIP Kit)

Fuchs H et. al. (March 2023). The chances in the redox priming of nondormant recalcitrant seeds by spermidine. Tree Physiol.
The study investigates the effect of spermidine (Spd) treatment on nondormant recalcitrant (desiccation sensitive) seeds of the silver maple to improve their postharvest performance. The researchers found that Spd treatment improved antioxidative capacity, cellular membrane stability, protected genome integrity from oxidative damage, and increased the efficiency of mitochondria. However, they also observed a hydrogen peroxide burst and suggested that redox priming may not be a simple solution to reinvigorate stored seeds with low-efficiency antioxidant systems.
(Products Used: EpiQuik 8-OHdG DNA Damage Quantification Direct Kit (Colorimetric))

Wang Y et. al. (March 2023). METTL3-mediated m6A modification of HMGA2 mRNA promotes subretinal fibrosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. J Mol Cell Biol.
The research investigates the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in the development of subretinal fibrosis, a major cause of poor visual prognosis in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Through mouse models and verification, the study shows that the METTL3-mediated m6A modification of high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) mRNA promotes subretinal fibrosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, highlighting a potential therapeutic target for nAMD.
(Products Used: EpiQuik m6A RNA Methylation Quantification Kit (Colorimetric))

Li K et. al. (March 2023). METTL3-METTL14 complex induces necroptosis and inflammation of vascular smooth muscle cells via promoting N6 methyladenosine mRNA methylation of receptor-interacting protein 3 in abdominal aortic aneurysms. J Cell Commun Signal
The paper investigates the role of the METTL3/METTL14 complex and N6 methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA methylation in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). The study finds that the METTL3/METTL14 complex promotes necroptosis and inflammation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in AAA by increasing m6A methylation of receptor-interacting protein 3 (RIP3) mRNA, which increases the protein level of RIP3 and further induces VSMC necroptosis. Interference with METTL3/METTL14 attenuated VSMC necroptosis, inflammatory response, and the AAA pathological process in vivo
(Products Used: EpiQuik m6A RNA Methylation Quantification Kit (Colorimetric))

Yang BY et. al. (March 2023). Epitranscriptomic profiling of m6A RNA methylation in renal epithelial tubular cells stimulated with calcium oxalate crystals through microarray analysis. Urolithiasis. 51(1):57.
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between m6A RNA methylation and renal tubular injury induced by calcium oxalate crystals (CaOX). The research found that calcium oxalate crystals (CaOX) induce changes in the methylation of RNA in renal tubular epithelial cells. These changes are associated with an increase in the expression of genes involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and crystal-cell adhesion. The researchers conclude that m6A methylation may play a role in the development of CaOX-induced renal tubular injury.
(Products Used: EpiQuik m6A RNA Methylation Quantification Kit (Colorimetric))