Rat DRG NSCs were plated in the absence of bFGF to promote differentiation, and then split into three groups: Control; ethanol at 400 mg/dL (88 mM) for 6 hours; and 5 azacytidine (a methylation inhibitor). The morphological characteristics of the ethanol-treated NSCs displayed reduced cellular migration in addition to changes in microtubule associated protein (Map2) to Oct4 ratios. Cellular distribution of DNA methylation markers, specifically 5mC and DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1), was altered by ethanol, suggesting that global nuclear methylation patterns were affected.
