Evaluating Methylation of the Oxytocin Receptor Gene and the Oxytocin Intergenic Region.
| Title | Evaluating Methylation of the Oxytocin Receptor Gene and the Oxytocin Intergenic Region. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2022 |
| Authors | King L, Robins S, Chen G, Turecki G, Zelkowitz P |
| Journal | Methods Mol Biol |
| Volume | 2384 |
| Pagination | 81-103 |
| Date Published | 2022 |
| ISSN | 1940-6029 |
| Abstract | Oxytocin and its paralogue, vasopressin, are widely studied biomarkers in relation to pregnancy and birth, maternal and social behavior, and mental health. Epigenetics is a biological mechanism that mediates the link between environmental influences and behavioral patterns. In a candidate gene approach, we describe here a DNA methylation assay of two regions within the oxytocin system, using human buccal cells and next-generation sequencing. Two nanograms of DNA were sufficient to assess the DNA methylation status of 28 CpG sites (22 corresponding to the oxytocin receptor and 6 corresponding to the vasopressin/oxytocin intergenic region). This method proved to be non-invasive for the participants, and reproducible; its validity remains to be confirmed alongside other biomarkers of gene function. |
| DOI | 10.1007/978-1-0716-1759-5_6 |
| Alternate Journal | Methods Mol Biol |
| PubMed ID | 34550570 |
| Grant List | MOP-123354 / / CIHR / Canada |