Genetic and epigenetic interactions underlying FASD

摘要/摘要 酒精是最常见的致畸物质，也是智力低下的主要原因。胎儿酒精暴露 会导致许多出生缺陷，最常见的是影响头面部骨骼和神经系统。 胎儿酒精光谱障碍描述了潜在的酒精导致的出生缺陷和 据估计，每1000名新生儿中就有10人患病。胎儿酒精的时间和浓度 暴露是FASD表型的重要决定因素。似乎还有遗传和表观遗传 FASD背后的因素，但我们几乎对这些因素之间的相互作用一无所知。这个 斑马鱼胚胎对于这些类型的分析特别有用。在目标1中，我们确定和描述 乙醇敏感基因模块和针对它们的乙醇敏感miRNAs。在目标2中，我们开发工具 以确定miRNA活性如何改变细胞行为。由于基因功能的保守性 我们的研究结果将为斑马鱼和人类之间的相互作用提供关键的见解。 FASD背后的遗传和表观遗传因素。 好了！

Summary/Abstract Ethanol is the most common teratogen and the leading cause of mental retardation. Fetal alcohol exposure can cause numerous birth defects, most commonly effecting the craniofacial skeleton and nervous system. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder describes the full range of potential ethanol-induced birth defects and has been estimated to have a prevalence of 10 in 1000 births. The timing and concentration of fetal alcohol exposure are important determinants of FASD phenotypes. There also appears to be genetic and epigenetic factors underlying FASD, yet we know almost nothing about the interaction between these factors. The zebrafish embryo is particularly useful for these types of analyses. In Aim 1, we identify and characterize ethanol-sensitive gene modules and the ethanol-sensitive miRNAs that target them. In Aim 2, we develop tools to determine how miRNA activity alters cell behaviors. Because of the conservation of gene function between zebrafish and humans, the results from our studies will provide key insights into the interaction between genetic and epigenetic factors underlying FASD. !