DNA N6-methyladenine is dynamically regulated in the mouse brain following environmental stress

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Bing Yao, Emory University; Ying Cheng, Emory University; Zhiqin Wang, Central South University; Yujing Li, Emory University; Li Chen, Emory University; Luoxiu Huang, Emory University; Wenxin Zhang, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dahua Chen, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Hao Wu, Emory University; Beisha Tang, Central South University; Peng Jin, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-10-24
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group: Nature Communications
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2017 The Author(s).
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-01195-y
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Nature Communications
• ISSN: 2041-1723
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 1122
• End Page: 1122
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported in part by NIH grants (NS051630, NS079625, MH102690 and NS097206 to P.J.)
• Keywords: TRANSCRIPTION; MAMMALIAN BRAIN; MAJOR DEPRESSION; DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION ANALYSIS; METHYLATION; RESTRAINT STRESS; MICE; LIFE STRESS; GENE-EXPRESSION; MEDIAL PREFRONTAL CORTEX; Multidisciplinary Sciences; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Science & Technology
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health; Biology, Genetics; Biology, Biostatistics

Abstract

Chemical modifications on DNA molecules, such as 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, play important roles in the mammalian brain. A novel DNA adenine modification, N(6)-methyladenine (6mA), has recently been found in mammalian cells. However, the presence and function(s) of 6mA in the mammalian brain remain unclear. Here we demonstrate 6mA dynamics in the mouse brain in response to environmental stress. We find that overall 6mA levels are significantly elevated upon stress. Genome-wide 6mA and transcriptome profiling reveal an inverse association between 6mA dynamic changes and a set of upregulated neuronal genes or downregulated LINE transposon expression. Genes bearing stress-induced 6mA changes significantly overlap with loci associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. These results suggest an epigenetic role for 6mA in the mammalian brain as well as its potential involvement in neuropsychiatric disorders.