Influence of developmental lead exposure on expression of DNA methyltransferases and methyl cytosine-binding proteins in hippocampus

► DNMT1 and DNMT3a in hippocampus are affected by developmental lead exposure. ► MeCP2 is affected by lead exposure only in females. ► Lead-induced changes in DNMTs and MeCP2 are modified by sex and timing of exposure. ► Developmental Pb exposure may alter the dynamic modulation of DNA methylation.