The association between BPA exposure, DNA methylation, gene expression, and altered neurodevelopment in Zebrafish

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Theses / Dissertations
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Thesis discipline
Biological Sciences
Degree name
Master of Science
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Journal Title
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Language
English
Date
2022
Authors
Ring, Paulina M.
Abstract

Epigenetics plays a vital role in correct neurodevelopment. Chemical exposures such as bisphenol A (BPA) can disrupt epigenetic patterns in the brain and lead to altered neurodevelopment, with long lasting effects on gene expression and behaviour. This research project investigated the effects of BPA on DNA methylation and gene expression of neurodevelopmentally important genes as well as the DNA methyltransferase enzymes in Zebrafish. BPA exposure caused hatching delay and hatching number decrease in treated embryos, as well as an increase in mortality. DNA methylation changes were observed in one neurodevelopmental gene NTRK2a but not in the other genes analysed here. There were no significant gene expression level changes seen in DNMT3aa, NTF3, and SORT1a. While BPA had an effect on hatching rate and DNA methylation, BPA did not have an observable effect on gene expression within the scope of this research project.

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