Reversibility of changes in nucleic acid methylation and gene expression induced in rat liver by severe dietary methyl deficiency.

As we have reported previously, both DNA and tRNA become hypomethylated in livers of rats fed a cancer promoting, methyl-deficient diet (MDD) for as short a period as one week. Within the same period, activities of tRNA and DNA methyltransferases (MTases) increase and levels of mRNAs for several genes believed to have roles in growth regulation are altered. These diet-induced changes in nucleic acid methylation and gene expression increased in extent when MDD was fed continuously for four weeks.

Methyl groups in carcinogenesis: effects on DNA methylation and gene expression.

Lipotrope-deficient (methyl-deficient) diets cause fatty livers and increased liver-cell turnover and promote carcinogenesis in rodents. In rats prolonged intake of methyl-deficient diets results in liver tumor development. The mechanisms responsible for the cancer-promoting and carcinogenic properties of this deficiency remain unclear.

Reduced membrane protein methylation in red cells of the McLeod blood group phenotype.

Red cells (RBCs) contain an abundance of protein methylase II, which catalyzes the transfer of methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine to carboxyl groups of aspartyl and glutamyl residues in proteins. Enzyme-catalyzed transfer of methyl groups, labeled with 14C or 3H, from S-adenosylmethionine to membrane proteins of McLeod, Ko, and control RBCs was assayed by determining the acceptance of labeled methyl groups under standardized conditions. Membranes of control cells and Ko cells showed about 50 percent greater uptake than did those of McLeod cells.

Alterations in expression and methylation of specific genes in livers of rats fed a cancer promoting methyl-deficient diet.

We have reported earlier that hypomethylated DNA is rapidly induced in the livers of male Fischer rats fed an extremely methyl-deficient diet (MDD). The early effects of dietary methyl deficiency on the expression of several genes in the livers of such animals have now been investigated. Poly(A)+ RNA was isolated from the livers of rats fed MDD or a similar diet supplemented with adequate supplies of choline, methionine, folic acid and vitamin B12 (CSD) for periods ranging from 1 to 4 weeks.

Prolonged survival of female AKR mice fed diets supplemented with methionine and choline.

Female mice of the AKR/J (AK) strain were fed a control diet (Purina Rodent Laboratory Chow) or a lipotrope-supplemented diet (Purina Rodent Chow plus 2% D,L-methionine and 1% choline chloride) beginning at 1 day after weaning. Food consumption and weight gain were found to be the same in both groups of animals. Mice of this inbred strain spontaneously develop thymic lymphoma, with close to 100% mortality expected by 12-13 months of age.