Vitamins B12 and folate plays an important role in DNA methylation
Scientists at Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), a laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), have revealed that good nutrition in the form of B12 and folic acid supplements has a beneficial impact on genes associated with Type 2 diabetes.
Vitamins B12 and folate plays an important role in DNA methylation, a process that regulates various function of genes without altering the sequence. In DNA methylation, basically methyl group is added to DNA which can result in change in its activity.
Scientists found that only vitamin B12 and not folic acid influences regulation of several Type 2 Diabetes associated genes through methylation of a specific microRNA.
To understand the programming of complex diseases in more detail, the group of scientists is currently working a group of mothers who were given micronutrients, to see the effect of supplementation in their offspring. This work is being done in collaboration with C S Yajnik at KEM Hospital and Research Centre (KEMHRC), Pune.
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