DNA hypomethylating agents 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine and valproate increase neuronal 5-lipoxygenase mRNA

DNA methylation regulates gene expression. Neuronal 5-lipoxygenase expression increases during aging and during the proliferation of immature rat cerebellar granule neurons, In these cultures, we investigated the effects of hypomethylating agents 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (AdC) and valproate on 5-lipoxygenase mRNA, Both drugs increased 5-lipoxygenase mRNA in proliferating cells; only valproate was effective in differentiated neurons. We propose that neuronal 5-lipoxygenase expression can be affected by aging-altered DNA methylation and by hypomethylating drugs, such as the anticonvulsant valproate. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.