Dysregulation of methionine metabolism in multiple sclerosis

Neurochem Int. 2018 Jan:112:1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.10.011. Epub 2017 Oct 26.

Abstract

We report a significant reduction in plasma methionine concentrations in relapse remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients compared to controls. In vivo studies demonstrate that changes in peripheral methionine levels in mice can regulate histone H3 methylation and expression of DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) centrally, in the cerebral cortex. Therefore, we propose that decreases in circulating methionine represent one of the earliest manifestations of dysregulated methionine metabolism in MS with potential impacts on both histone H3 and DNA methylation in the central nervous system.

Keywords: DNA methyltransferases; Histone methylation; Methionine metabolism; Multiple sclerosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Cerebral Cortex / drug effects
  • Cerebral Cortex / metabolism*
  • Cerebral Cortex / pathology
  • DNA Methyltransferase 3A
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Male
  • Methionine / administration & dosage
  • Methionine / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / metabolism*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / pathology

Substances

  • DNMT3A protein, human
  • Dnmt3a protein, mouse
  • Methionine
  • DNA Methyltransferase 3A