Environmental and socio-cultural impacts on global DNA methylation in the indigenous Huichol population of Nayarit, Mexico

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2021, Vol.28 (4), p.4472-4487
• Main Authors: Paredes-Céspedes, Diana Marcela, Rojas-García, Aurora Elizabeth, Medina-Díaz, Irma Martha, Ramos, Kenneth S., Herrera-Moreno, José Francisco, Barrón-Vivanco, Briscia Socorro, González-Arias, Cyndia Azucena, Bernal-Hernández, Yael Yvette
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: alcohol drinking; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bisulfite; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cultural characteristics; Deoxyribonucleic acid; diet; DNA; DNA Methylation; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental factors; Environmental Health; Environmental impact; Environmental science; Female; Folic acid; high-throughput nucleotide sequencing; Humans; Indigenous peoples; lifestyle; Long Interspersed Nucleotide Elements - genetics; Male; Mexico; nationalities and ethnic groups; pesticide application; Pesticides; Population; Population genetics; Population Groups; Population studies; questionnaires; Research Article; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10804-1

Alterations of global DNA methylation have been evaluated in several studies worldwide; however, Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1 (LINE-1) methylation in genetically conserved populations such as indigenous communities have not, to our knowledge, been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between LINE-1 methylation patterns and factors such as pesticide exposure and socio-cultural characteristics in the Indigenous Huichol Population of Nayarit, Mexico. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 140 Huichol indigenous individuals. A structured questionnaire was used to determine general and anthropometric characteristics, diet, harmful habits, and pesticide exposure. DNA methylation was determined by pyrosequencing of bisulfite-treated DNA. A lower level of LINE-1 methylation was found in the indigenous population when compared to a Mestizo population previously studied by our group. This difference might be due to the influence of the genetic admixture and differing dietary and lifestyle habits. The males in the indigenous population exhibited increased LINE-1 methylation in comparison to the females. Sex and alcohol consumption showed positive associations with LINE-1 methylation, while weight, current work in the field, current pesticide usage, and folate intake exhibited negative associations with LINE-1 methylation. The results suggest that ethnicity, as well as other internal and environmental factors, might influence LINE-1 methylation.