Differential ESR1 promoter Methylation in the peripheral blood of healthy middle-aged and older women- findings from the women 40+ healthy aging study

Gardini, Elena, University of Zurich, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1169-096X

Chen, Gary G., McGill University

Fiacco, Serena, University of Zurich

Mernone, Laura, University of Zurich

Willi, Jasmine, University of Zurich

Turecki, Gustavo, McGill University

Ehlert, Ulrike, University of Zurich

e.gardini@psychologie.uzh.ch

Published Jun 11, 2020 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.gmsbcc2jk

Cite this dataset

Gardini, Elena et al. (2020). Differential ESR1 promoter Methylation in the peripheral blood of healthy middle-aged and older women- findings from the women 40+ healthy aging study [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.gmsbcc2jk

Abstract

Background Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) contributes to maintain biological processes preserving health during aging. DNA methylation changes of ERα gene (ESR1) were established as playing a direct role in the regulation of ERα levels. In this study, we hypothesized decreased DNA methylation of ESR1 associated with postmenopause, lower estradiol levels and increased age among healthy middle-aged and older women.

Methods We assessed DNA methylation of ESR1 promoter region from dried blood spots and estradiol from saliva samples, among 130 healthy women aged 40-73 years.

Results We found that postmenopause and lower estradiol levels were associated with lower DNA methylation of a distal regulatory region, but not with DNA methylation of proximal promoters.

Conclusion Our results indicate possible adaptive changes of ESR1 methylation in women healthy aging.