DNA methylation variation in the brain of laying hens in relation to differential behavioral patterns
DNA methylation variation in the brain of laying hens in relation to differential behavioral patterns
复制标题
DOI：
10.1016/j.cbd.2020.100700
复制
发表时间：
2020-09-01
影响因子：
3
通讯作者：
Toscano, Michael J.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Guerrero-Bosagna, Carlos;Pertille, Fabio;Toscano, Michael J.
驯养动物在研究遗传和非遗传因素对特定表型的贡献方面具有独特性。参与表型形成的非遗传因素包括表观遗传机制。在这里，我们的目的是确定个体群体之间巢状皮质的相对 DNA 甲基化差异是否是导致母鸡差异行为模式出现的非遗传因素之一。选择 Nidopallium 是因为它在鸟类复杂的认知功能（即决策）中发挥着重要作用。生活在高度受控环境中的母鸡自发出现的行为模式是通过独特的跟踪系统来识别的，该系统记录了母鸡在围栏区域之间的转换。行为活动模式通过三种分类方案进行表征：（i）行为惯例的日常具体特征（熵），（ii）日常时空活动模式（动态时间扭曲），以及（iii）社会主导行为（领先指数）。在分类方案中出现的行为模式之间确定了独特的差异甲基化区域（DMR），其中熵的数量较高。从功能上来说，DTW 的受影响启动子比例是双倍，远端基因间区域比例是一半。 DMR相关基因的通路富集分析表明，Entropy主要与细胞周期检查点相关，Leading Index与线粒体功能相关，DTW与基因表达调控相关。我们的研究表明，神经元（尤其是巢状皮质）内的不同生物功能可能导致不同行为模式的出现，并且脑组织内的表观遗传变异将是解释行为变异的重要因素。
Domesticated animals are unique to investigate the contribution of genetic and non-genetic factors to specific phenotypes. Among non-genetic factors involved in phenotype formation are epigenetic mechanisms. Here we aimed to identify whether relative DNA methylation differences in the nidopallium between groups of individuals are among the non-genetic factors involved in the emergence of differential behavioral patterns in hens. The nidopallium was selected due to its important role in complex cognitive function (i.e., decision making) in birds. Behavioral patterns that spontaneously emerge in hens living in a highly controlled environment were identified with a unique tracking system that recorded their transitions between pen zones. Behavioral activity patterns were characterized through three classification schemes: (i) daily specific features of behavioral routines (Entropy), (ii) daily spatio-temporal activity patterns (Dynamic Time Warping), and (iii) social leading behavior (Leading Index). Unique differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified between behavioral patterns emerging within classification schemes, with entropy having the higher number. Functionally, DTW had double the proportion of affected promoters and half of the distal intergenic regions. Pathway enrichment analysis of DMR-associated genes revealed that Entropy relates mainly to cell cycle checkpoints, Leading Index to mitochondrial function, and DTW to gene expression regulation. Our study suggests that different biological functions within neurons (particularly in the nidopallium) could be responsible for the emergence of distinct behavior patterns and that epigenetic variation within brain tissues would be an important factor to explain behavioral variation.