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Animal models to study environmental epigenetics.
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, 1201 East Rollins Rd., Columbia, MO 65211, USA. rosenfeldc@missouri.edu
Biology of Reproduction
|October 16, 2009
Summary
Epigenetics explains how environmental factors cause heritable gene expression changes, impacting disease origins. Animal models, like A(vy) and Axin1(Fu) mice, reveal epigenetic links to developmental abnormalities and transgenerational pathologies.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Epigenetics offers insights into diseases not explained by traditional genetics.
- Environmental factors can induce heritable gene expression changes without altering DNA sequence.
- Animal models are crucial for studying epigenetics and its role in disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how various animal models can elucidate the epigenetic basis of phenotypes.
- To explore the link between epigenetics, environmental factors, and disease.
- To understand transgenerational effects of environmental insults on offspring.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing animal models such as agouti viable yellow (A(vy)) and axin 1 fused (Axin1(Fu)) mice.
- Examining DNA methylation patterns associated with heritable pathologies.
- Investigating transgenerational phenotypic changes caused by parental environmental insults.
- Analyzing pathologies in somatic cell nuclear transfer-derived animals linked to reprogramming errors.
Main Results:
- Specific DNA methylation changes in animal models correlate with a spectrum of heritable pathologies.
- Environmental insults, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals, can cause transgenerational phenotypic alterations.
- Somatic cell nuclear transfer models highlight pathologies arising from epigenetic reprogramming errors.
Conclusions:
- Animal models are invaluable tools for dissecting the epigenetic underpinnings of diverse phenotypes and diseases.
- Epigenetic mechanisms provide a framework for understanding environmentally influenced, heritable health conditions.
- Further research using these models can advance our knowledge of epigenetics in health and disease.
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