Gene expression profile of rRNA and its epigenetic regulation in brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease

• Grant number: 15/09885-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2015
• End date: December 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Suchi Chen
• Grantee: Tathyane Chaves Faria
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative, irreversible and progressive disease that leads to memory loss and dementia. The etiology of AD is complex, but mutations in at least four loci were associated with increased susceptibility to AD, although these genes do not account for the majority of cases. Alterations in genetic expression have been reported in brains of patients with AD, and associated with abnormalities in the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. A reduction in rRNA expression was reported in the AD pathogenesis; however, the mechanisms involved on its regulation are still unclear. Hence, this study aims to confirm whether the reduction in rRNA expression, previously observed in lymphocytes of individuals with AD, is present in the brain when compared to controls, as well as if DNA methylation of the promoter region plays a role in the regulation of rRNA expression profile. The gene expression profile of the epigenetic machinery of methylation - MeCP2 and MBD1-4 - will also be investigated, and to correlate with the gene expression levels. This study might generate new and additional information to further comprehension of the epigenetic aspects involved in the AD process. (AU)