The variations of Endophilin A2-FoxO3a-autophagy signal in AngⅡ-induced dopaminergic neuron injury mouse model and By Biochanin A

Biochanin A is a natural plant estrogen, with various biological activities such as anti-apoptosis, anti-oxidation and suppression of inflammatory. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of biochanin A on AngⅡ-induced dopaminergic neurons damage in vivo and molecular mechanisms. Spontaneous activity and motor ability of mice among groups was detected by open-field test and swim-test. The expression of TH, LC3BⅡ/LC3BⅠ, Beclin-1, P62, p-FoxO3a / FoxO3a, FoxO3 and Endophilin A2 were determined by western blot and immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence staining. Our results showed that AngⅡ treatment significantly increased the behavioral dysfunction of mice and DA neurons damage. Meanwhile, AngⅡ treatment increased the expression of LC3BⅡ/LC3BⅠ, Beclin-1, P62 and FoxO3a and decreased the expression of Endophilin A2 and p-FoxO3a / FoxO3a, however, biochanin A treatment alleviate these changes. In summary, these results suggest that biochanin A exerts protective effects on AngⅡ-induced mouse model may be related to regulating Endophilin A2, FoxO3a and autophagy-related proteins. However, the specific mechanism is not yet clear and needs further study.

DNA methylation and behavioral dysfunction in males with 47,XXY and 49,XXXXY: a pilot study

Background Equal dosage of X-linked genes between males and females is maintained by the X-inactivation of the second X chromosome in females through epigenetic mechanisms. Boys with aneuploidy of the X chromosome exhibit a host of symptoms such as low fertility, musculoskeletal anomalies, and cognitive and behavioral deficits that are presumed to be caused by the abnormal dosage of these genes. The objective of this pilot study is to assess the relationship between CpG methylation, an epigenetic modification, at several genes on the X chromosome and behavioral dysfunction in boys with supernumerary X chromosomes. Results Two parental questionnaires, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), were analyzed, and they showed expected differences in both internal and external behaviors between neurotypical (46,XY) boys and boys with 49,XXXXY. There were several CpGs in AR and MAOA of boys with 49,XXXXY whose methylation levels were skewed from levels predicted from having one active (Xa) and three inactive (Xi) X chromosomes. Further, methylation levels of multiple CpGs in MAOA showed nominally significant association with externalizing behavior on the CBCL, and the methylation level of one CpG in AR showed nominally significant association with the BRIEF Regulation Index. Conclusions Boys with 49,XXXXY displayed higher levels of CpG methylation at regulatory intronic regions in X-linked genes encoding the androgen receptor (AR) and monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), compared to that in boys with 47,XXY and neurotypical boys. Our pilot study results suggest a link between CpG methylation levels and behavior in boys with 49,XXXXY.