Great Plains Identification of Neurogenesis-Associated Genes and Proteins Altered by Early-Life Stress and Exercise

Overview

Epigenetics is the study of how environmental stimuli affect gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism in which a 5-methylcytosine group binds to the DNA impacting gene expression. DNA methylation in the mouse hippocampus can significantly alter ability to learn, process, and respond to events. Neurogenesis is the process in which new neurons are generated in the brain, and this process happens through adulthood. Environmental stimuli such as early-life stress and exercise can alter neurogenesis. However, the genetic mechanism that causes altered neurogenesis is unknown. My project aims to identify neurogenesis regulating genes that are being impacted by early -life stress and exercise. My hypothesis is that if DNA methylation occurs from early -life stress and sedentary lifestyle, then neurogenesis-associated gene expression will be altered, with hypermethylation having lower gene and protein expression and hypomethylation having higher gene and protein expression. To test this hypothesis, I did bioinformatics on DNA methylation data from the mouse hippocampus, then I preformed real time PCR to measure gene expression. I found four genes that were being altered by early -life stress and a sede ntary lifestyle: Disc1, Ror1, Atp1a3, and Hspg2. In conclusion, I identified neurogenesis regulating genes that were being changed and could potentially be the cause of altered neurogenesis. I hope this research will provide a greater understanding of the genetic mechanisms contributing to altered neurogenesis.