Dynamic DNA Methylation Changes in the COMT Gene Promoter Region in Response to Mental Stress and Its Modulation by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Changes in epigenetic modifications present a mechanism how environmental factors like the experience of stress can alter gene regulation. While stress-related disorders have consistently been associated with differential DNA methylation, little is known about the time scale in which these alterations emerge. We investigated dynamic DNA methylation changes in whole blood of 42 healthy male individuals in response to a stressful cognitive task, its association with concentration changes in cortisol and its modulation by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). We observed a continuous increase in COMT promotor DNA methylation which correlated with higher saliva cortisol levels and was still detectable one week later. However, this lasting effect was suppressed by concurrent activity-enhancing anodal tDCS to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Our findings support the significance of gene-specific DNA methylation in whole blood as potential biomarkers for stress-related disorders. Moreover, they suggest alternative molecular mechanisms possibly involved in lasting behavioral effects of tDCS.
Source: Biomolecules
DOI: 10.3390/biom11111726
Institutions: Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, University of Tübingen
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,082
OpenAlex ID: W3216145433