%0 Journal Article %T Long-Term Impact of Maternal Protein Malnutrition on Learning and Memory Abilities and DNA Methylating Profiles of the Nervous System in Offspring Rats %A Hao Zhu %A Yijing Ding %A Weimin Zhu %A Shuang Liang %A Yanyan Qian %A Yuanpeng Zhou %A Duan Ma %A Huijun Wang %A Weidong Tian %A Shufeng Zhou %A Xiaotian Li %J Health %P 2047-2065 %@ 1949-5005 %D 2014 %I Scientific Research Publishing %R 10.4236/health.2014.615239 %X Objective: To determine the mechanisms by which protein deficiency during pregnancy can lead to long-term alterations in learning and memory abilities of the offspring in rats. Study design: Fourty-two pregnant rats were fed control (n = 23) or low protein (n = 19) diets <i>ad libitum</i> until parturition. On the 8th week of post-natal life which represented early adulthood, eighty-four offsprings (control group: n = 52, LP group: n = 32) were determined their learning & memory ability by using the Morris water maze test. Six offprings¡¯ brain tissue (control group: n = 3, LP group: n = 3) was also analysed for DNA methylating profiles, the GO and KEGG pathways, methylation status and twelve for protein expression (control group: n = 6, LP group: n = 6). Results: The offsprings of the protein-deficient-diet fed rats learnt faster initially then lagged behind those of the control rats, especially in female rats (p = 0.035). There were a series of genes methylated in the CpG island and pormoter area. Quantitative Mass Array data showed methylation differences in Grin2b and Grin2b_3CpG 3, 4, & 5 might be the target sites as shown by dual-luciferase assay. A decreased level of protein expression of NMDAR2B was observed. Conclusion: Differential methylation status in Grin2b and changes in expression of NMDAR2B may partially explain the long-term impact of maternal protein deficiency on the cognitive and learning capabilities of offsprings.
%K Maternal Protein Malnutrition %K Morris Water Maze %K Methylation %K Grin2b %K NMDA Receptors %U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=49117