Tetsunori Kawata

Change of Epigenetic Control of Cystathionine Beta-Synthase Gene Expression through Dietary Vitamin B12 Is Not Recovered by Methionine Supplementation

Background/Aims: Vitamin B12 (B-12) is an essential cofactor for methionine synthase, and methionine is critical for the methylation of various biological molecules including DNA. Whether changes in B-12 levels can alter specific gene expression through DNA methylation and whether dietary methionine has any effect on general DNA methylation status still remains controversial. Methods: We raised severely B-12-deficient rats as well severely-B-12 deficient rats but supplemented with 5% methionine. mRNA levels of methionine cycle-related enzymes were analyzed. Results: Gene expression patterns changed under B-12-deficient conditions but were recovered by dietary methionine supplementation to B-12-deficient rats. However, cystathionine β-synthase mRNA levels, which had decreased under B-12-deficient conditions, did not recover with supplementary dietary methionine. The CpG island of the cystathionine β-synthase promoter was hypomethylated in B-12-deficient rats, and showed no recovery after methionine addition. Conclusions: Dietary B-12 can affect epigenetic machinery by regulating DNA methylation status and dietary methionine may have small effects on DNA methylation.

Vitamin B-12-Deficiency Affects Immunoglobulin Production and Cytokine Levels in Mice

To clarify the role of B-12 in the immunological function, serum C3, IgM, IgG, IgE contents, splenocytes expression of CD4, CD8, and CD4 positive intracellular IFN-gamma and IL-4 were examined in B-12-deficient mice, and the effect of the administration of CH3-B-12 was also studied. Serum C3, IgM and IgG contents were lower in B-12-deficient mice than in the control mice. On the other hand, serum IgE content was significantly higher in B-12-deficient mice, and the value in CH3-B-12 administered mice, administered CH3-B-12 to B-12-deficient mice for 48 h before the end of feeding period, showed a tendency to recovery. CD4+CD8- cells and CD4+CD8-/CD4-CD8+ ratio in splenocytes were significantly higher in B-12-deficient mice than in control mice. CD4+IFN-gamma+ cells was significantly lower in B-12-deficient mice than in control mice, and CD4+IL-4+ was significantly higher in B-12-deficient mice than in control mice. These results suggest that B-12-deficiency causes CD4+CD8-T cells shift from the T helper type 1 to the T helper type 2, which participate in the IgE production and elevates CD4+CD8-/CD4-CD8+ ratio. Thus, B-12 plays a role in maintaining the immune function in mice.

Breeding Severely Vitamin B12-Deficient Mice as Model Animals

Newborn mice weaned from mice fed on a B12-deficient diet during pregnancy and lactation were fed on a B12-deficient diet for 90 days after weaning, and the state of B12 deficiency was evaluated. The effect of B12 deficiency on the testicular tissue was also examined. The body weight of the mice fed on a B12-deficient diet for 90 days was slightly lower than that of the control mice administrated CN-B12, and the urinary excretion of methylmalonic acid (MMA) was increased. The B12 concentrations in the liver and testes were markedly depressed by B12 deficiency, being about 13 and 10 pmol/g, respectively, on day 90. The testes weight was clearly reduced by B12 deficiency. The testes weight/100 g body weight was also lowered. Clear morphological changes were observed in the testicular tissue of the B12-deficient mice. These results showed that mice in a severely B12-deficient state could be produced by dietary B12 deprivation. These B12-deficient mice could be useful as model animals not only for elucidating the functions of B12 in vivo, but also for biochemical studies.

Elevation of urinary methylmolonic acid induces the suppression of megalin-mediated endocytotic cycles during vitamin B12 deficiency

Megalin is a scavenger receptor that serves in the endocytosis of a highly diverse group of ligands that includes Vitamin B12. We found an accumulation of megalin closed to apical region in renal proximal tubule cells of Vitamin B12-deficient rats. Interestingly, Vitamin B12 levels also controlled resorption of renal retinol binding protein. Using L2 yolk sac cells, megalin localized to the submembrane compartment by methylmalonic acid (MMA), which accumulates during vitamin B12 deficiency. In addition, MMA inhibited megalin-mediated endocytosis via YWTD repeats motif in an ectodomain of megalin. Therefore, megalin endocytosis may be regulated by MMA.

Vitamin B12 deficiency-induced increase of osteoclastic bone resorption caused by abnormal renal resorption of inorganic phosphorus via Napi2a

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a risk factor for bone disorders via mechanisms not fully understood. In this study, an increase in serum inorganic phosphorus (Pi) concentrations was associated with a vitamin B12 deficiency. Napi2a, a renal cotransporter for Pi reabsorption, accumulated on plasma membranes in a vitamin B12 deficiency suggests that vitamin B12 plays an important role in Pi homeostasis.