Characterization of timed changes in hepatic copper concentrations, methionine metabolism, gene expression, and global DNA methylation in the Jackson toxic milk mouse model of Wilson disease.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Wilson disease (WD) is characterized by hepatic copper accumulation with progressive liver damage to cirrhosis. This study aimed to characterize the toxic milk mouse from The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, ME, USA) (tx-j) mouse model of WD according to changes over time in hepatic copper concentrations, methionine metabolism, global DNA methylation, and gene expression from gestational day 17 (fetal) to adulthood (28 weeks).

METHODS:

Included liver histology and relevant biochemical analyses including hepatic copper quantification, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) liver levels, qPCR for transcript levels of genes relevant to methionine metabolism and liver damage, and DNA dot blot for global DNA methylation.

RESULTS:

Hepatic copper was lower in tx-j fetuses but higher in weanling (three weeks) and adult tx-j mice compared to controls. S-adenosylhomocysteinase transcript levels were significantly lower at all time points, except at three weeks, correlating negatively with copper levels and with consequent changes in the SAM:SAH methylation ratio and global DNA methylation.

CONCLUSION:

Compared to controls, methionine metabolism including S-adenosylhomocysteinase gene expression is persistently different in the tx-j mice with consequent alterations in global DNA methylation in more advanced stages of liver disease. The inhibitory effect of copper accumulation on S-adenosylhomocysteinase expression is associated with progressively abnormal methionine metabolism and decreased methylation capacity and DNA global methylation.

• Authors: Anh Le, Noreene M Shibata, Samuel W French, Kyoungmi Kim, Kusum K Kharbanda, Mohammad S Islam, Janine M LaSalle, Charles H Halsted, Carl L Keen, Valentina Medici
• Journal: International journal of molecular sciences (Int J Mol Sci) Vol. 15 Issue 5 Pg. 8004-23 (May 07 2014) ISSN: 1422-0067 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 24810691 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Copper
• Methionine

Topics

• Animals
• Body Weight
• Copper (analysis, metabolism)
• DNA Methylation
• Disease Models, Animal
• Gene Expression Regulation
• Hepatolenticular Degeneration (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Lipid Metabolism
• Liver (metabolism, pathology)
• Methionine (genetics, metabolism)
• Mice (genetics, metabolism)