Question

Understanding control of gene expression by chromatin regulation We discussed how maternal grooming behavior regulates anxiety and stress response in rats. Rats raised by low-care mothers grow up to be more anxious and guarded adults. Rats raised by high-care mothers on the other hand become more relaxed adults. Below are two key results from the study that discovered this phenomenon. Scientists looked at DNA methylation in the promoter of a gene called glucocorticoid receptor which is expressed in the hippocampus of the brain. When they compared methylation of this region in rats raised by low-care or high-care (more nurturing) mothers, this is what they found: L: Low Care H:High Care C-methylation (%) What is the result and the conclusion of this experiment? HINT: think about what this result means in terms of glucocorticoid receptor gene expression and anxiety in adulthood

Answer 1

Answer-1 DNA methylation was found to be more in the promoter region of glucocorticoid receptors in low care mouse from which we can conclude that there will be less expression of glucocorticoid receptors and rats raised by them will be more anxious and gaurded adults.

Answer-2 Histone acetylation was found to be more in the promoter region of glucocorticoid receptors inhigh care mothers from which we can conclude that the this gene will be more expressed in high care mouse and the rats raised by them will be more relaxed.