Effects of histone hypomethylation induced by alcohol during pregnancy on overexpression of cardiomyogenesis genes offspring mice

AIM:To investigate the effects of histone methylation on the abnormal expression of cardiomyogenesis genes caused by alcohol during pregnancy and the regulatory mechanism, and to provide a new idea and intervention targets for preventing and curing congenital heart disease. METHODS:The alcohol (56%, 5 mL/kg) and G9a-histone methyltransferases (HMT) inhibitor BRD4770 (1 mg/kg) were given by gavage in Kunming mice during embryo (E) 0.5~14.5 d, and the hearts of the mice in E14.5, E16.5 and post neonatal 0.5 d (PND0.5) were collected. The mRNA expression of Gata4, Cx43 and β-MHC genes was detected by RT-qPCR. The activity of HMT was measured by colorimetry. Meanwhile, the protein expression of histone H3K9me3, G9a-HMT, Cx43 and β-MHC was determined by Western blot. RESULTS:The results of colorimetry showed that the activity of HMT in the heart of the offspring mice treated with alcohol during pregnancy was decreased significantly compared with normal saline group (P<0.05), and Western blot data showed that the expression of G9a-HMT and histone H3K9me3 were apparently decreased in the same samples (P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of Gata4, Cx43 and β-MHC in alcohol group were apparently increased compared with normal saline group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the protein levels of Cx43 and β-MHC were increased significantly in the same samples (P<0.05). However, BRD4770, a G9a-HMT inhibitor, further attenuated the level of histone H3K9me3, and further upregulated the expression of Gata4, Cx43 and β-MHC in the heart of the the mice treated with alcohol (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Histone methylation modification imbalance induced by G9a-HMT may be involved in the abnormal expression of cardiomyogenesis genes in the heart of offspring mice caused by alcohol during pregnancy.