A comprehensive guide to genome-wide DNA methylation research in neuropsychiatric disorders and its implications for deep-space environments.
10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2025.250387
- Author:
Sheng XU
1
,
2
;
Shishi MIN
3
;
Haixia GU
1
;
Xueying WANG
4
;
Chao CHEN
1
,
5
Author Information
1. Key Laboratory of Rare Pediatric Diseases, Ministry of Education, Changsha
2. xusheng@sklmg.edu.cn.
3. National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha
4. State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai
5. chenchao@sklmg.edu.cn.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
DNA methylation;
MethylationEPIC array;
deep-space flight;
epigenetics;
neuropsychiatric disorders;
whole-genome bisulfite sequencing
- MeSH:
DNA Methylation;
Humans;
Space Flight;
Mental Disorders/genetics*;
Epigenesis, Genetic;
Astronauts/psychology*;
Weightlessness/adverse effects*;
Epigenomics
- From:
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences)
2025;50(8):1320-1336
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Neuropsychiatric disorders arise from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. DNA methylation, a reversible and environmentally responsive epigenetic regulatory mechanism, serves as a crucial bridge linking environmental exposure, gene expression regulation, and neurobehavioral outcomes. During long-duration deep-space missions, astronauts face multiple stressors-including microgravity, cosmic radiation, circadian rhythm disruption, and social isolation, which can induce alterations in DNA methylation and increase the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders. Genome-wide DNA methylation research can be divided into 3 major methodological stages: Study design, sample preparation and detection, and data analysis, each of which can be applied to astronaut neuropsychiatric health monitoring. Systematic comparison of the Illumina MethylationEPIC array and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing reveals their complementary strengths in terms of genomic coverage, resolution, cost, and application scenarios: the array method is cost-effective and suitable for large-scale population studies and longitudinal monitoring, whereas sequencing provides higher resolution and coverage and is more suitable for constructing detailed methylation maps and characterizing individual variation. Furthermore, emerging technologies such as single-cell methylation sequencing, nanopore long-read sequencing, and machine-learning-based multi-omics integration are expected to greatly enhance the precision and interpretability of epigenetic studies. These methodological advances provide key support for establishing DNA-methylation-based monitoring systems for neuropsychiatric risk in astronauts and lay an epigenetic foundation for safeguarding neuropsychiatric health during future long-term deep-space missions.
