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Violation of DNA methylation as a factor of fetal growth restriction
https://doi.org//10.25557/2073-7998.2025.02.3-13
Abstract
DNA methylation is a fundamental epigenetic modification mechanism that plays a significant role in gene activity regulation and underlies the development of various diseases. In this article, we have focused on analyzing the genome-wide studies results of DNA methylation in fetal growth restriction (FGR), which reported the identification of differentially methylated regions or genes using high-throughput technologies. Analysis of the included studies has revealed significant alterations in DNA methylation patterns in FGR, affecting 1,022 differentially methylated genes (DMGs), which are overrepresented in the processes of the immune response, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways. Among these, only 4% of DMG are replicated between studies. These genes are associated with the signal transduction, cellular morphogenesis, nervous system development and cell adhesion. Additionally, we have identified a cluster of genes that not only exhibited differential methylation in placental tissue but also showed statistically significant changes in gene expression in FGR. These common genes and their products are involved in cell-cell interaction, cell migration, cytoskeleton organization, apoptosis, and nervous system development. The obtained data indicate that certain patterns of DNA methylation associated with the FGR development in the prenatal period may be the basis for increased susceptibility to diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, pathologies of the bronchopulmonary system and immunological dysregulation in later life. The results of our work highlight the important role of a comprehensive analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression for the study of the genetic component underlying FGR.
Keywords
Supporting agencies: The study was carried out under the state assignment for fundamental research № 122020200083-8.
About the Authors
M. M. Gavrilenko
Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Center
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
10, Naberejnaya Ushaiki, Tomsk, 634050
E. A. Trifonova
Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Center
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
10, Naberejnaya Ushaiki, Tomsk, 634050
V. A. Stepanov
Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Center
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
10, Naberejnaya Ushaiki, Tomsk, 634050
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For citations:
Gavrilenko M.M., Trifonova E.A., Stepanov V.A. Violation of DNA methylation as a factor of fetal growth restriction. Medical Genetics. 2025;24(2):3-13. (In Russ.) https://doi.org//10.25557/2073-7998.2025.02.3-13
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