VDR gene methylation as a molecular adaption to light exposure: Historic, recent and genetic influences

Abstract

Duration of early-life light exposure and strength of recent irradiance, along with latitudinal genetic factors, influence degree of VDR gene methylation consistent with this epigenetic phenomenon being a molecular adaptation to variation in ambient light exposure. Findings contribute to our understanding of human biology.

Vitamin D and folate: A reciprocal environmental association based on seasonality and genetic disposition

“…The primary purpose of this study was to add to the corpus of knowledge that exists in support of this paradigm for the evolution of skin pigmentation. The findings described, herein, also add weight to three earlier articles from 2017 (Beckett et al, ; Jones et al, ; Lucock et al, ) as well as ideas that our group first published in 2015 (Lucock, Jones, et al, ). Having shown that UV exposure inversely correlates with RCF, and that this occurs in a C677T‐MTHFR dependent fashion (Lucock et al, ), it was subsequently demonstrated that epigenetic alteration occurs to the vitamin D receptor in response to UV/light exposure in a way that reflects phenotypic adaptation (Beckett et al, ).…”

“…In a series of recent articles, we have established that, in humans, folate is UV sensitive, and that the C677T‐MTHFR gene variant is one factor that can modulate this effect (Lucock et al, ). We have further shown that epigenetic changes to the vitamin D receptor gene occur in response to both quality and quantity of light, consistent with an adaptive molecular trait to accommodate humans to variation in ambient light exposure (Beckett et al, ). Being able to demonstrate that vitamin D and folate exhibit reciprocity under specific seasonal light regimes would further help solidify evidence for the “folate‐vitamin D hypothesis of skin pigmentation” (Jablonski & Chaplin, ), a construct given additional support by a recent article indicating that the frequency of folate‐related polymorphisms varies according to the degree of skin pigmentation (Jones et al, ).…”

“…(2) Blood folate is degraded according to UV exposure, and this is gene dependent (Borradale et al, 2014; Lucock et al, ). (3) Early‐life and recent irradiance influences the degree of VDR gene methylation in a predictable way, consistent with a molecular adaptation to variation in ambient light exposure (Beckett et al, ). (4) Frequency of folate‐related polymorphisms varies according to the degree of skin pigmentation (Jones et al, ).…”

“…Although recent human migrations have disrupted the original geography of this phenotype‐environment adaptation, not least in the present Australian population, which is predominantly of North European ancestry, recent studies are nevertheless now providing increasing evidence to support the hypothesis. (1) Vitamin D gene variation is linked to latitude (Beckett et al, ; Hochberg & Templeton, ; Lucock, Jones, et al, ). (2) Blood folate is degraded according to UV exposure, and this is gene dependent (Borradale et al, 2014; Lucock et al, ).…”

“…No studies have previously examined potential seasonal associations between plasma folate and vitamin D levels. Both vitamins have fundamental molecular roles in maintaining the patency of the human genome and epigenome, and hence play a vital part in mediating adaptive phenotypic traits (Beckett et al, ; Fetahu, Hobaus, & Kallay, ; Pike & Meyer, ). For 40 years it has been suggested that UV degradation of natural folates in human skin acted as one of the selection pressures for the evolution of skin pigmentation, while the need for vitamin D biosynthesis in the skin selected for skin depigmentation (Branda & Eaton, ).…”