Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in post-mortem autistic brains

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26670539
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Hamamatsu University School of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: IWATA YASUHIDE 浜松医科大学, 医学部附属病院, 講師 (10285025)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): Kameno Yousuke 浜松医科大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教 (40537255)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): Yamada Kohei 浜松医科大学, 子どものこころの発達研究センター, 講師 (50588879)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: DNAメチル化 / エピジェネティック過程 / 死後脳 / 自閉症スペクトラム障害

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Previous studies indicate that autism has a strong genetic component; however, the underlying genetic mechanisms remain unclear. Recently, it was reported that genetic heritability is lower than previously estimated, and that environmental factors have a greater influence on the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Epigenetic processes such as DNA methylation are considered to be at the interface of genetic and environmental factors. We investigated genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in the dorsal raphe region of post-mortem brain from individuals with autism. We found differentially methylated regions (DMRs) not only in promoters, but also in gene bodies, 3-untranslated regions (UTR) and intergenic regions in autism. In addition, because autism is a highly heterogeneous disorder, we screened for individual-specific DNA methylation (IS-DMRs) and found differentially methylated CpG sites at promoters, gene bodies, 3-UTRs and intergenic regions in autism.

Free Research Field

精神医学