Abstract
DNA methylation of cytosine residues is a well-studied epigenetic change, which regulates gene transcription by altering accessibility for transcription factors. Hypoxia is a pervasive stimulus that affects many physiological processes. The circulatory and respiratory systems adapt to chronic sustained hypoxia, such as that encountered during a high-altitude sojourn. Many people living at sea level experience chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH) due to sleep apnea, which leads to cardiovascular and respiratory maladaptation. This article presents a brief update on emerging evidence suggesting that changes in DNA methylation contribute to pathologies caused by chronic IH and potentially mediate adaptations to chronic sustained hypoxia by affecting the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling pathway.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | L1096-L1100 |
Journal | American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology |
Volume | 313 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2017 |
Keywords
- Antioxidant enzyme
- Blood pressure
- Carotid body reflex
- DNA methyl transferases
- Redox state
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Physiology (medical)
- Cell Biology