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[Abstract Title]. - Society for Neuroscience

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Program#/Poster#: 278.16/MM9<br />

Topic: E.01.e. Sexual differences<br />

Support: NIH Grant R01MH072956<br />

<strong>Title</strong>: Sex differences in the expression of DNA methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3a) in the rat<br />

amygdala during development<br />

Authors: *M. H. KOLODKIN 1 , A. P. AUGER 2 ;<br />

1 Neurosci. Training Program, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madiso, Madison, WI; 2 Psychology, Univ. of<br />

Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI<br />

<strong>Abstract</strong>: Sexual differentiation of the neonatal rat brain is regulated by dynamic processes<br />

occurring at the level of DNA. Steroid hormone receptors act partly in the developing brain by<br />

recruiting co-activators, thereby increasing acetylation of histones and gene expression. The<br />

mechanism by which gene expression is concurrently downregulated has not yet been fully<br />

elucidated. Methylation is an epigenetic process that decreases gene expression without altering<br />

the original DNA sequence. Co-repressor complexes are recruited when DNA cytosine-5methyltransferases<br />

(DNMTs) tag DNA promoters by catalyzing the transfer of a methyl group to<br />

the cytosine in CpG dinucleotides. Sex differences in the expression of components of the<br />

methylation machinery may influence methylation patterns and result in divergent phenotypes.<br />

We investigated whether sex differences in the expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3a were<br />

apparent in the sexually dimorphic amygdala, preoptic area, and ventromedial hypothalamus at<br />

different time points during development. Using real-time polymerase and western<br />

immunoblotting, we have found that females express significantly more DNMT3a mRNA and<br />

protein in the amygdala at PND1, but not PND10. No sex difference was observed in the<br />

expression of DNMT1. Our results suggest that increased gene expression in males leading to<br />

sexual differentiation may be complemented by a relief of methylation-induced gene suppression<br />

by DNMT3a.<br />

Disclosures: M.H. Kolodkin, None; A.P. Auger, None.<br />

Poster<br />

278. Sex Differences I<br />

Time: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm<br />

Program#/Poster#: 278.17/MM10<br />

Topic: E.01.e. Sexual differences

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