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VDR gene methylation as a molecular adaption to light exposure: Historic, recent and genetic influences

Abstract

Objectives
The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a member of the nuclear receptor family of transcription factors. We examined whether degree of VDR gene methylation acts as a molecular adaptation to light exposure. We explored this in the context of photoperiod at conception, recent UV irradiance at 305 nm, and gene‐latitude effects.

METHODS
Eighty subjects were examined for VDR gene‐CpG island methylation density. VDR gene variants were also examined by PCR‐RFLP.

CONCLUSIONS
Duration of early‐life light exposure and strength of recent irradiance, along with latitudinal genetic factors, influence degree of VDR gene methylation consistent with this epigenetic phenomenon being a molecular adaptation to variation in ambient light exposure. Findings contribute to our understanding of human biology.

Citation

Beckett, E., Jones, P., Veysey, M., Duesing, K., Martin, C., Furst, J., …Lucock, M. (2017). VDR gene methylation as a molecular adaption to light exposure: Historic, recent and genetic influences. American Journal of Human Biology, 29(5), Article e23010. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.23010

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 1, 2017
Online Publication Date Apr 22, 2017
Publication Date Sep 8, 2017
Deposit Date Aug 13, 2019
Print ISSN 1520-6300
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 29
Issue 5
Article Number e23010
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.23010
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1932503
Publisher URL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajhb.23010