Association Between miR-148a and DNA Methylation Profile in Individuals Exposed to Lead (Pb)

Author(s):Show less -

Araujo, Marilia Ladeira de ^[1] ; Gomes, Bruno Costa ^[2] ; Devoz, Paula Picoli ^[3] ; Duarte, Nathalia de Assis Aguilar ^[1] ; Ribeiro, Diego Luis ^[4] ; Araujo, Adriana Ladeira de ^[5] ; Batista, Bruno Lemos ^[6] ; Antunes, Lusania Maria Greggi ^[3] ; Barbosa, Jr., Fernando ^[3] ; Rodrigues, Antonio Sebastiao ^[2] ; Rueff, Jose ^[2] ; Barcelos, Gustavo Rafael Mazzaron ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Hlth & Soc, Dept Biosci, Santos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Nova Lisboa, NOVA Med Sch NMS, Ctr Toxicogen & Human Hlth, Lisbon - Portugal

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharmaceut Sci Ribeirao Preto, Dept Clin Anal Toxicol & Food Sci, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Genet, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[5] Anhembi Morumbi Univ, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[6] Fed Univ ABC, Ctr Nat & Human Sci, Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN GENETICS; v. 12, FEB 17 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Experimental and epidemiologic studies have shown that lead (Pb) is able to induce epigenetic modifications, such as changes in DNA methylation profiles, in chromatin remodeling, as well as the expression of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). However, very little is known about the interactions between microRNAs (miRNAs) expression and DNA methylation status in individuals exposed to the metal. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of hsa-miR-148a expression on DNA methylation status, in 85 workers exposed to Pb. Blood and plasma lead levels (BLL and PLL, respectively) were determined by ICP-MS; expression of the miRNA-148a was quantified by RT-qPCR (TaqMan assay) and assessment of the global DNA methylation profile (by measurement of 5-methylcytosine; % 5-mC) was performed by ELISA. An inverse association was seen between miR-148a and % 5-mC DNA, as a function of BLL and PLL (beta = -3.7; p = 0.071 and beta = -4.1; p = 0.049, respectively) adjusted for age, BMI, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Taken together, our study provides further evidence concerning the interactions between DNA methylation profile and miR-148a, in individuals exposed to Pb. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/24643-1 - Impact of exposure to lead (Pb) on the expression profile of micro RNAs (miRNAs) in workers exposed to metal
• Grantee: Marília Ladeira de Araújo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 16/24520-1 - Impact of exposure to lead (Pb) on the expression profile of genes related to metal metabolism in occupationally exposed individuals
• Grantee: Marília Ladeira de Araújo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate