Epigenetic regulation of mitochondrial function in neurodegenerative disease: New insights from advances in genomic technologies

Matthew Devall; Janou Roubroeks; Jonathan Mill; Michael Weedon; Katie Lunnon

doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2016.02.013

Epigenetic regulation of mitochondrial function in neurodegenerative disease: New insights from advances in genomic technologies

Neurosci Lett. 2016 Jun 20:625:47-55. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.02.013. Epub 2016 Feb 10.

Authors

Matthew Devall¹, Janou Roubroeks², Jonathan Mill³, Michael Weedon¹, Katie Lunnon⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Clinical and Biomedical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Devon, UK.
² Institute of Clinical and Biomedical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Devon, UK; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHENS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
³ Institute of Clinical and Biomedical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Devon, UK; Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, UK.
⁴ Institute of Clinical and Biomedical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Devon, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].

Abstract

The field of mitochondrial epigenetics has received increased attention in recent years and changes in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) methylation has been implicated in a number of diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, current publications have been limited by the use of global or targeted methods of measuring DNA methylation. In this review, we discuss current findings in mitochondrial epigenetics as well as its potential role as a regulator of mitochondria within the brain. Finally, we summarize the current technologies best suited to capturing mtDNA methylation, and how a move towards whole epigenome sequencing of mtDNA may help to advance our current understanding of the field.

Keywords: AD; Alzheimer's disease; DNA methylation; Epigenetics; Mitochondria; mtDNA.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Brain / metabolism
DNA Methylation*
DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics*
Epigenesis, Genetic*
Epigenomics / methods*
Gene Expression Regulation
Humans
Neurodegenerative Diseases / genetics*
Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

DNA, Mitochondrial

Grants and funding

R01 AG036039/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States