In vitro effects of zinc and folic acid on the expressions of Neurogenin 3, Kruppel-like factor 4, c-Myc, Nanog, Nestin and POU class 5 homeobox 1 genes -

Abstract

Objective: Genes are regulated at multiple levels by using nutritional factors during neurogenesis and gliogenesis in brain development. Folic acid (FA)and zinc regulate the expressions of some genes which participate in brain development as nutritional factors. So, we aimed to find the effect of FA and zinc on the expression levels of neurogenin 3 (NGN3), Kruppel-like factor 4 (Klf4), c-Myc, nanog, POU class 5 homeobox 1-Pou5F1 (Oct4), and Nestin in mouse fetal brain tissue in neural plate phase at gestational day 7 (GD7)and in fetal brain tissue at GD20. Methods: All the tissues were cultured primarily. FA and zinc solutions were added. Real time-polymerase chain reaction was performed in RNA obtained from in each sample. Results: FA has no effect on GD7 mouse neural plate tissue and GD20 mouse fetal brain tissue. Zinc has no effect on GD7 mouse neural plate tissue. Zinc increased the expressions of NGN3, Klf4, nanog, Nestin, and Oct4 genes on GD20 mouse fetal brain tissue. Conclusion: This in vitro study represents that zinc is important in the expressions of NGN3, Klf4, Nanog, Nestin, and Oct4 genes in the late phase of pregnancy. The stimulator effect of Zinc on the expression levels of these genes may show us the possible role of zinc in fetal brain development in the late phase of pregnancy.