Vitamin D vital for gene expression in developing brains

24 March 2015 - MedicalXpress

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The collaborative study used a mouse model to investigate prenatal vitamin D deficiency.

The researchers found that body length, head size and lateral ventricle volume were reduced in the offspring of vitamin D deficient individuals and most importantly, gene expression in the brain was significantly altered.

The study investigated the gene expression of four neurotrophic genes responsible for the production of proteins which relate to the survival, development and function of neurons (nerve cells).

Speech and "feel good" protein impacted

Of the four genes, forkhead box protein p2 (Foxp2) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) had the most dramatic change due to the induced vitamin D deficiency in the mothers.

Gene expression of Foxp2, involved in speech and linguistic development, was reduced by 30-32 per cent in the pups of vitamin D mothers at day 14.5.

"Foxp2 seems to be very important in terms of language and there is suggestion it might also be disrupted in some cases of autism spectrum disorders," Dr Wyrwoll says.

At day 17.5, almost the full term of a mouse pregnancy, protein staining for Foxp2 of the cortex showed a 69 per cent reduction of proteins in female offspring of vitamin D deficient mothers.

TH is the rate-limiting enzyme involved in synthesis of the "feel-good" chemical dopamine.  The researchers found a 67 per cent reduction in TH gene expression at day 17.5 in female pups of vitamin D deficient mothers.