Neonatal exposure to DES alters expression of DNA methyltransferases and methylation of genomic DNA

DES alters the expression levels of Dnmts and DNA methylation

mouse
DES alters the expression levels of Dnmts and DNA methylation. Image by Steph Hillier.

 

2009 Study Abstract

Perinatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) can have numerous adverse effects on the reproductive organs later in life, such as vaginal clear-cell adenocarcinoma. Epigenetic processes including DNA methylation may be involved in the mechanisms.

We subcutaneously injected DES to neonatal C57BL/6 mice. At days 5, 14, and 30, expressions of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and Dnmt3b, and transcription factors Sp1 and Sp3 were examined. We also performed restriction landmark genomic scanning (RLGS) to detect aberrant DNA methylation. Real-time RT-PCR revealed that expressions of Dnmt1, Dnmt3b, and Sp3 were decreased at day 5 in DES-treated mice, and that those of Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and Sp1 were also decreased at day 14. RLGS analysis revealed that 5 genomic loci were demethylated, and 5 other loci were methylated by DES treatment. Two loci were cloned, and differential DNA methylation was quantified.

Our results indicated that DES altered the expression levels of Dnmts and DNA methylation.

Sources
  • Neonatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol alters expression of DNA methyltransferases and methylation of genomic DNA in the mouse uterus, Sato K1, Fukata H, Kogo Y, Ohgane J, Shiota K, Mori C. Endocr J. 2009;56(1):131-9. Epub 2008 Nov 8. NCBI PMID: 18997445.
  • Full text, The Japan Endocrine Society, PDF.
More DES DiEthylStilbestrol Resources

15 thoughts on “Neonatal exposure to DES alters expression of DNA methyltransferases and methylation of genomic DNA”

        1. Sally, I am not aware of a study which details all side effects impacts on several generations…
          But for example, a doctor said that while hyspospadias was affecting +/- 3.5 % of the DES sons, the risk was increasing to reach 8% on the DES grand sons… so, that risk doubles with the next generation… here is the video, listen from 08:30 to 09:05.
          While here is a chart for daughters, I’d like to find one comparing 3 generations…
          So far, studies I found are listed here.
          Hope this helps

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