Biochemistry · MU Pleven

76. Nutrigenomics. Nutritional Regulation of Gene Expression. Gene Modulation. Gene Polymorphism.

Explains how nutrition and the genome interact, starting with the definition and aims of nutrigenomics. It then sets out how nutrients regulate gene expression through transcription factors such as PPARs and SREBP, epigenetic changes including DNA methylation and histone modification, and microRNAs, with examples like vitamins A and D. It goes on to dietary gene modulation and closes with gene polymorphisms such as MTHFR, APOE and FTO and their role in personalised nutrition.

Inside: 5 sections · 4 labelled pictures · 13 flashcards · 2 min

Topic 76 of 76 in the MU Pleven syllabus for Biochemistry (Medicine, Year 2). The free AceMed note covers it in 5 sections, about 305 words (2 min of reading), with 13 flashcards.

In this note

  1. Nutrigenomics. Nutritional Regulation of Gene Expression. Gene Modulation. Gene Polymorphism.
  2. Nutrigenomics
  3. Nutritional Regulation of Gene Expression
  4. Gene Modulation by Diet
  5. Gene Polymorphism and Nutrition

Nutrigenomics

  • Definition: Study of the interaction between nutrition and the genome, focusing on how diet influences gene expression and how genetic variations affect response to nutrients.
  • Goal: Understand how nutrients modulate health, prevent disease, and tailor personalized nutrition.

Nutritional Regulation of Gene Expression

  • Nutrients can act as signals that regulate transcription factors and gene expression.
  • Mechanisms include:
  • Activation of transcription factors:
  • Example: PPARs (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors) → regulate lipid metabolism genes.
  • Example: SREBP (Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins) → regulate cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis genes.
  • Epigenetic modifications:
  • DNA methylation → can silence or activate genes.
  • Histone acetylation/deacetylation → alters chromatin structure and transcription.
  • Example: Folate and B12 affect methylation patterns via SAM.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs):
  • Nutrients can influence miRNA expression → post-transcriptional gene regulation.
  • Examples of nutrient-gene interactions:
  • Vitamin A → Retinoic acid binds nuclear receptors → regulates genes in vision, immunity, and cell differentiation.
  • Vitamin D → Calcitriol binds VDR receptor → regulates calcium homeostasis genes.
  • Polyunsaturated fatty acids → regulate inflammatory genes via PPAR and NF-κB pathways.
  • Glucose and insulin → regulate genes via ChREBP and FOXO transcription factors.

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