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Related Concept Videos

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying DNA...
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

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Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
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Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance

In 1866, Gregor Mendel published the results of his pea plant breeding experiments, providing evidence for predictable patterns in the inheritance of physical characteristics. The significance of his findings was not immediately recognized. In fact, the existence of genes was unknown at the time. Mendel referred to hereditary units as “factors.”
Non-nuclear Inheritance01:29

Non-nuclear Inheritance

Most DNA resides in the nucleus of a cell. However, some organelles in the cell cytoplasm⁠—such as chloroplasts and mitochondria⁠—also have their own DNA. These organelles replicate their DNA independently of the nuclear DNA of the cell in which they reside. Non-nuclear inheritance describes the inheritance of genes from structures other than the nucleus.
Non-nuclear Inheritance01:29

Non-nuclear Inheritance

Most DNA resides in the nucleus of a cell. However, some organelles in the cell cytoplasm⁠—such as chloroplasts and mitochondria⁠—also have their own DNA. These organelles replicate their DNA independently of the nuclear DNA of the cell in which they reside. Non-nuclear inheritance describes the inheritance of genes from structures other than the nucleus.
Microtubules in Signaling01:22

Microtubules in Signaling

The primary cilium, made up of microtubules, acts as antennae on the cell surfaces for relaying external stimuli into the cells. These fine hair-like structures are present, generally one per cell. These are non-motile cilia in a 9+0 microtubules arrangement, where the central pair of microtubules are absent. The primary cilia arise from the basal body embedded in the cell membrane. Intraflagellar transport (IFT) carries requisite proteins from the cytoplasm to the cilium because the primary...

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Analysis of Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance in C. elegans Using a Fluorescent Reporter and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP)
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Epigenetic inheritance in ciliates.

Mariusz Nowacki1, Laura F Landweber

  • 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.

Current Opinion in Microbiology
|November 3, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Certain RNA molecules in ciliates can transmit acquired traits across generations, offering a Lamarckian inheritance mechanism. This epigenetic process contributes to the evolutionary success of these diverse microbial eukaryotes.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Lamarck's theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics predates Darwin.
  • Recent discoveries reveal molecular pathways for transmitting acquired traits.
  • Ciliates are established model systems for studying non-traditional inheritance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review novel biological roles of RNA in inheritance.
  • To explore mechanisms of Lamarckian inheritance in ciliates.
  • To discuss the evolutionary implications of acquired character transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on RNA function and inheritance.
  • Analysis of studies on ciliated protozoa, specifically RNA's role in DNA rearrangement and mutation transmission.
  • Examination of epigenetic mechanisms in somatic cells.

Main Results:

  • RNA acts as a template for DNA rearrangements in organisms like Oxytricha.
  • Maternal RNA can transmit spontaneous somatic mutations to offspring.
  • The somatic genome in ciliates functions as an epigenome, influenced by parental RNA.

Conclusions:

  • Non-coding RNA molecules play a significant role in transmitting acquired characters.
  • These RNA-mediated mechanisms provide a source of heritable variation.
  • Epigenetic inheritance in ciliates contributes to their evolutionary adaptability and success.