Food restriction in pregnant mice can induce changes in histone modifications and suppress gene expression in fetus.

Biological responses to environmental effects are mediated through epigenetic changes such as chemical modifications of the histone tails and DNA (5-cytosine) methylation. We report that dietary protein restriction in pregnant mice can alter histone modifications in the promoter region of the Igf2 gene and cause a two-fold repression in promoter specific Igf2 transcription in the liver of the fetus. Suppression of Igf2 is accompanied with low birth weight of the pups born to the protein-restricted dams. Our results provide new information about the epigenetic aspects of early life programming and will improve our understanding about the developmental origins of adult diseases.