Epigenetic mechanisms in stress and adaptation

Mifsud, Karen R., Gutirrèz-Mecinas, María, Trollope, Alexandra F., Collins, Andrew, Saunderson, Emily A., and Reul, Johannes M.H.M. (2011) Epigenetic mechanisms in stress and adaptation. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 25 (7). pp. 1305-1315.

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Abstract

Epigenetic mechanisms are processes at the level of the chromatin that control the expression of genes but their role in neuro-immuno-endocrine communication is poorly understood. This review focuses on epigenetic modifications induced by a range of stressors, both physical and psychological, and examines how these variations can affect the biological activity of cells. It is clear that epigenetic modifications are critical in explaining how environmental factors, which have no effect on the DNA sequence, can have such profound, long-lasting influences on both physiology and behavior. A signaling pathway involving activation of MEK-ERK1/2, MSK1, and Elk-1 signaling molecules has been identified in the hippocampus which results in the phospho-acetylation of histone H3 and modification of gene expression including up-regulation of immediate early genes such as c-Fos. This pathway can be induced by a range of challenging experiences including forced swimming, Morris water maze learning, fear conditioning and exposure to the radial maze. Glucocorticoid (GC) hormones, released as part of the stress response and acting via glucocorticoid receptors (GRs), enhance signaling through the ERK1/2/MSK1–Elk-1 pathway and thereby increase the impact on epigenetic and gene expression mechanisms. The role of synergetic interactions between these pathways in adaptive responses to stress and learning and memory paradigms is discussed, in addition we speculate on their potential role in immune function.

Item ID: 26840
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1090-2139
Keywords: stress; adaptation; epigenetic; learning; memory; DNA methylation; histone modification; ERK; MAPK; NMDA; glucocorticoid; c-Fos; Egr-1; immune; inflammation; cytokine; hippocampus; dentate gyrus; HPA axis
Date Deposited: 13 May 2013 02:30
FoR Codes: 17 PSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES > 1702 Cognitive Science > 170205 Neurocognitive Patterns and Neural Networks @ 10%
06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0604 Genetics > 060404 Epigenetics (incl Genome Methylation and Epigenomics) @ 90%
SEO Codes: 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences @ 90%
97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970117 Expanding Knowledge in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences @ 10%
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