Effects of cerebral ischemia in mice lacking DNA methyltransferase 1 in post-mitotic neurons

Neuroreport. 2001 Dec 4;12(17):3763-6. doi: 10.1097/00001756-200112040-00032.

Abstract

DNA methylation is important for controlling gene expression and is catalyzed by DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt1) an enzyme abundant in brain. We recently demonstrated that mice expressing reduced levels of Dnmt1 are protected from cerebral ischemia. Here, we used the cre/loxP system to produce conditional mutants that lack Dnmt 1 in postmitotic neurons of the postnatal brain. We demonstrate that animals heterozygous for the conditional allele (Dnmt11lox/+) have significantly smaller infarcts following 1 h middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion compared to their wildtype litters. Surprisingly, mice with a deletion of Dnmt1 in post-mitotic neurons (Dnmt11lox/c) were not protected. In conclusion, we demonstrate that reduced levels of Dnmt1, but not its absence, in post-mitotic neurons protect from ischemic brain injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Pressure / genetics
  • Body Temperature / genetics
  • Brain / enzymology*
  • Brain / growth & development
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Brain Ischemia / enzymology*
  • Brain Ischemia / genetics
  • Brain Ischemia / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Infarction / enzymology
  • Cerebral Infarction / genetics
  • Cerebral Infarction / physiopathology
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / genetics
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / deficiency*
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / genetics
  • DNA Methylation*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • Heterozygote
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / enzymology
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / genetics
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / physiopathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mitosis / genetics
  • Neurons / enzymology*
  • Reperfusion Injury / enzymology
  • Reperfusion Injury / genetics
  • Reperfusion Injury / physiopathology

Substances

  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases
  • Dnmt1 protein, mouse