Sex-specific parent-of-origin allelic expression in the mouse brain

Date Published:

Abstract:

Genomic imprinting results in preferential gene expression from paternally versus maternally inherited chromosomes. We used a genome-wide approach to uncover sex-specific parent-of-origin allelic effects in the adult mouse brain. Our study identified preferential selection of the maternally inherited X chromosome in glutamatergic neurons of the female cortex. Moreover, analysis of the cortex and hypothalamus identified 347 autosomal genes with sex-specific imprinting features. In the hypothalamus, sex-specific imprinted genes were mostly found in females, which suggests parental influence over the hypothalamic function of daughters. We show that interleukin-18, a gene linked to diseases with sex-specific prevalence, is subject to complex, regional, and sex-specific parental effects in the brain. Parent-of-origin effects thus provide new avenues for investigation of sexual dimorphism in brain function and disease.

Notes:

Gregg, ChristopherZhang, JiangwenButler, James EHaig, DavidDulac, CatherineengHoward Hughes Medical Institute/Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tNew York, N.Y.2010/07/10 06:00Science. 2010 Aug 6;329(5992):682-5. doi: 10.1126/science.1190831. Epub 2010 Jul 8.