Fig. 2.

Gene expression and hypothalamic Pomc DNA methylation changes in offspring at weaning. a mRNA expression levels of Pomc, Agrp, Npy, and b Ob-Rb in the ARC. c Relative mRNA levels of Mc4r and Npy1r in the PVN analyzed by qRT-PCR in the 3-week-old offspring of LF- or HF-fed dams (Student’s t-test, n = 8). d Map of the Pro-opiomelanocortin (Pomc) gene promoter and enhancer region including functional regulatory elements and CpG dinucleotides (red lines). e Methylation analyzes of hypothalamic Pomc promoter (− 150 bp to transcription start site [TSS]) (Student’s t-test, D-LF, n = 6; D-HF, n = 7) and f, g of neuronal Pomc enhancer region 1 and 2 in the offspring of LF- or HF-fed mothers at 3 weeks of age (Student’s t-test, n = 8). Data are shown as mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01. Pomc, pro-opiomelanocortin; Agrp, agouti-related peptide; Npy, neuropeptide Y; Ob-Rb, long form of the leptin receptor; Mc4r, melanocortin 4 receptor; Npy1r, neuropeptide Y receptor Y1