Methylation and expression patterns of the POMC gene in the offspring of rats subjected to diets deficient and supplemented with folic acid

• Grant number: 14/15357-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: April 01, 2015
• End date: July 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition - Nutrition Biochemistry
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Helio Vannucchi
• Grantee: Bruna Morais Faleiros de Paula
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Currently obesity is a serious public health problem worldwide and has a multifactorial origin involving both environmental and genetic factors. There are some genes that are involved with obesity such as the gene for Pro-Opiomelanocortin (POMC). The objective of this research project is to investigate the patterns of expression and methylation of the POMC gene in the offspring of rats subjected to deficient and supplemented diets with folic acid. The animals used are Wistar rats. For mating will be formed 4 couples/treatment group (control group, the folic acid deficient group and the supplemented with folic acid group). Samples of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus will be collected, from which DNA, RNA and proteins will be extracted using commercial kits following the manufacturer's protocol. In the analysis of DNA the methylation pattern will be performed. The mRNA will be used for differential gene expression by real-time PCR, using TaqMan® system (Life Technologies Ô). The study of proteomics will involve electrophoresis 2 -DE and the results will be confirmed by Western blotting. The results from this study may provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in fetal epigenetic reprogramming of the gene involved with obesity and the importance of adequate supply of folic acid during embryonic/ fetal development. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

PAULA, Bruna Morais Faleiros de. Methylation and expression patterns of the Pomc gene in the offspring of rats subjected to deficient and supplemented with folic acid diets. 2016. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.