New evidence exists that replicates the results of Weaver et al. (2004) about the increase in demethylation of DNA in exon 1 (7) of GR? What new evidence supports the non-genetic transmission of stress responsivity of the mother through maternal care to her offspring? Which mechanisms are implicated? Specific neurotransmitter actions are related to the process?
There has been some studies regarding the effect of maternal separation and miRNA expression of the offspring (this counts as non-genetic transmission). Work by Uchida et al. focused on the effects of maternal separation and early life adversity on the behavioural response to RRS as well as vulnerability to chronic stress in adult rats [87]. Maternally separated rats showed increased expression of repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor 4 (REST4), a neuron-specific splicing variant
of the transcriptional repressor REST. REST regulates certain brain-enriched miRNAs postulated to be associated with neuronal functions such as brain development and plasticity. The maternally separated rats also showed a marked increase in a variety of REST target gene mRNAs and miRNAs in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The expression of pre-mir132, -124-1, -9-1, -9-3, -
212 and -29a as well as the mature miR132, -124, -9 and - 29a were found to be significantly up-regulated in maternally separated rats compared to control rats. Altogether the study provides additional insights into factors that could influence susceptibility to developing mood and anxiety disorders in adulthood following exposure to early life stress. For more info see the miRNA review I have published - it is on my profile to download :)
you may check this paper
1. Provencal N, Suderman MJ, Guillemin C, et al. The Signature of Maternal Rearing in the Methylome in Rhesus Macaque Prefrontal Cortex and T Cells. Journal of Neuroscience. 2012;32(44):15626–15642.
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