Parental vitamin deficiency affects the embryonic gene expression of immune-, lipid transport- and apolipoprotein genes

Sci Rep. 2016 Oct 12:6:34535. doi: 10.1038/srep34535.

Abstract

World Health Organization is concerned for parental vitamin deficiency and its effect on offspring health. This study examines the effect of a marginally dietary-induced parental one carbon (1-C) micronutrient deficiency on embryonic gene expression using zebrafish. Metabolic profiling revealed a reduced 1-C cycle efficiency in F0 generation. Parental deficiency reduced the fecundity and a total of 364 genes were differentially expressed in the F1 embryos. The upregulated genes (53%) in the deficient group were enriched in biological processes such as immune response and blood coagulation. Several genes encoding enzymes essential for the 1-C cycle and for lipid transport (especially apolipoproteins) were aberrantly expressed. We show that a parental diet deficient in micronutrients disturbs the expression in descendant embryos of genes associated with overall health, and result in inherited aberrations in the 1-C cycle and lipid metabolism. This emphasises the importance of parental micronutrient status for the health of the offspring.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apolipoproteins* / biosynthesis
  • Apolipoproteins* / immunology
  • Avitaminosis / embryology
  • Avitaminosis / immunology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Lipid Metabolism / immunology*
  • Male
  • Zebrafish Proteins* / biosynthesis
  • Zebrafish Proteins* / immunology
  • Zebrafish* / embryology
  • Zebrafish* / immunology

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins
  • Zebrafish Proteins