The case for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in humans.
Daniel K Morgan1, Emma Whitelaw
1Division of Population Studies and Human Genetics, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane 4006, Australia.
Summary
Metastable epialleles in mice reveal how epigenetic states form in embryos. These gene states can be influenced by environment and even passed across generations, suggesting epigenetic inheritance in humans.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Genetics
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Metastable epialleles are genes in laboratory mice where epigenetic state determines transcriptional activity.
- Epigenetic states can vary between cells within the same tissue and are influenced by environmental factors.
- Some epigenetic states can be inherited across generations, a phenomenon known as transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence for metastable epialleles and their role in epigenetic mechanisms.
- To discuss the implications of metastable epialleles for understanding epigenetic inheritance.
- To explore the potential connection between epigenetic inheritance and Lamarckian principles.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research on metastable epialleles in laboratory mice.
- Analysis of studies investigating environmental influences on epigenetic states.
- Examination of evidence for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
Main Results:
- Metastable epialleles provide insights into the establishment of epigenetic states during embryonic development.
- Transcriptional activity at these alleles is cell-specific and probabilistically determined.
- Environmental factors can influence epigenetic states, and these changes can sometimes persist across generations.
Conclusions:
- Metastable epialleles are crucial models for studying epigenetic regulation and inheritance.
- The findings suggest that epigenetic inheritance may contribute to intergenerational effects observed in human populations.
- Epigenetics offers a potential mechanism to explain phenomena previously associated with Lamarckism.
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