Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Epigenetics of methylmercury

Cediel-Ulloa, Andrea ; Lindner, Sabrina LU ; Rüegg, Joëlle and Broberg, Karin LU orcid (2023) In NeuroToxicology 97. p.34-46
Abstract

Purpose of review: Methylmercury (MeHg) is neurotoxic at high levels and particularly affects the developing brain. One proposed mechanism of MeHg neurotoxicity is alteration of the epigenetic programming. In this review, we summarise the experimental and epidemiological literature on MeHg-associated epigenetic changes. Recent findings: Experimental and epidemiological studies have identified changes in DNA methylation following in utero exposure to MeHg, and some of the changes appear to be persistent. A few studies have evaluated associations between MeHg-related changes in DNA methylation and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Experimental studies reveal changes in histone modifications after MeHg exposure, but we lack epidemiological... (More)

Purpose of review: Methylmercury (MeHg) is neurotoxic at high levels and particularly affects the developing brain. One proposed mechanism of MeHg neurotoxicity is alteration of the epigenetic programming. In this review, we summarise the experimental and epidemiological literature on MeHg-associated epigenetic changes. Recent findings: Experimental and epidemiological studies have identified changes in DNA methylation following in utero exposure to MeHg, and some of the changes appear to be persistent. A few studies have evaluated associations between MeHg-related changes in DNA methylation and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Experimental studies reveal changes in histone modifications after MeHg exposure, but we lack epidemiological studies supporting such changes in humans. Experimental and epidemiological studies have identified microRNA-related changes associated with MeHg; however, more research is needed to conclude if these changes lead to persistent and toxic effects. MeHg appears to interfere with epigenetic processes, potentially leading to persistent changes. However, observed associations of mercury with epigenetic changes are as of yet of unknown relevance to neurodevelopmental outcomes.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
DNA methylation, Histone modifications, Methylmercury, miRNA, Neurodevelopment, Toxicity
in
NeuroToxicology
volume
97
pages
13 pages
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • pmid:37164037
  • scopus:85159204659
ISSN
0161-813X
DOI
10.1016/j.neuro.2023.05.004
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
bd75e86f-f924-45fd-9a0c-9537a13716db
date added to LUP
2023-08-10 10:59:59
date last changed
2024-04-20 00:17:13
@article{bd75e86f-f924-45fd-9a0c-9537a13716db,
  abstract     = {{<p>Purpose of review: Methylmercury (MeHg) is neurotoxic at high levels and particularly affects the developing brain. One proposed mechanism of MeHg neurotoxicity is alteration of the epigenetic programming. In this review, we summarise the experimental and epidemiological literature on MeHg-associated epigenetic changes. Recent findings: Experimental and epidemiological studies have identified changes in DNA methylation following in utero exposure to MeHg, and some of the changes appear to be persistent. A few studies have evaluated associations between MeHg-related changes in DNA methylation and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Experimental studies reveal changes in histone modifications after MeHg exposure, but we lack epidemiological studies supporting such changes in humans. Experimental and epidemiological studies have identified microRNA-related changes associated with MeHg; however, more research is needed to conclude if these changes lead to persistent and toxic effects. MeHg appears to interfere with epigenetic processes, potentially leading to persistent changes. However, observed associations of mercury with epigenetic changes are as of yet of unknown relevance to neurodevelopmental outcomes.</p>}},
  author       = {{Cediel-Ulloa, Andrea and Lindner, Sabrina and Rüegg, Joëlle and Broberg, Karin}},
  issn         = {{0161-813X}},
  keywords     = {{DNA methylation; Histone modifications; Methylmercury; miRNA; Neurodevelopment; Toxicity}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{34--46}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{NeuroToxicology}},
  title        = {{Epigenetics of methylmercury}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2023.05.004}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.neuro.2023.05.004}},
  volume       = {{97}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}