Regulation of maternal behavior and offspring growth by paternally expressed Peg3

Citation
Ll. Li et al., Regulation of maternal behavior and offspring growth by paternally expressed Peg3, SCIENCE, 284(5412), 1999, pp. 330-333
Citations number
26
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Multidisciplinary,Multidisciplinary,Multidisciplinary
Journal title
SCIENCE
ISSN journal
0036-8075 → ACNP
Volume
284
Issue
5412
Year of publication
1999
Pages
330 - 333
Database
ISI
SICI code
0036-8075(19990409)284:5412<330:ROMBAO>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
Imprinted genes display parent-of-origin-dependent monoallelic expression t hat apparently regulates complex mammalian traits, including growth and beh avior. The Peg3 gene is expressed in embryos and the adult brain from the p aternal allele only. A mutation in the Peg3 gene resulted in growth retarda tion, as well as a striking impairment of maternal behavior that frequently resulted in death of the offspring. This result may be partly due to defec tive neuronal connectivity, as well as reduced oxytocin neurons in the hypo thalamus, because mutant mothers were deficient in milk ejection. This stud y provides further insights on the evolution of epigenetic regulation of im printed gene dosage in modulating mammalian growth and behavior.