These epigenetic marks do not affect the underlying DNA, but they do control how Sfmbt2 and an associated microRNA (the intronic microRNA-466b-3p) are expressed. The epigenetic reprogramming from stress, through glucocorticoids, was surprising, researchers said. This epigenetic change in stressed fathers showed up in their offspring’s livers. The intronic microRNA-466b-3p in Sfmbt2 is supposed to help regulate an enzyme called PEPCK, which controls sugar production in the liver.
But when mammals reproduce, Sfmbt2 is turned off in the egg from the mother – meaning that offspring inherit their only working copy from the father’s sperm.
And when the only functional Sfmbt2 gene carries these epigenetic tags, the intronic microRNA-466b-3p is silenced and can not keep watch over PEPCK as it normally would. The father’s offspring then develop livers with too much PEPCK, causing their blood glucose to increase.
“It is potentially possible for our study to be translated into the treatment of hyperglycemia in human beings in the future,” said Li. The findings were published in the journal Cell Metabolism. -PTI
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