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Related Concept Videos

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

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...
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming01:24

Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming

Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for injury repair.
Imprinting01:22

Imprinting

Behavioral imprinting is observed in some newborn animals and occurs when they develop strong and specific attachments to another animal (usually a parent) following brief, early-life exposures. Offspring imprint onto parents within a brief period after birth or hatching; this time window is called the critical period. Once imprinting occurs, the bond established between the parents and their offspring is usually long-lasting.

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Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain
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Epigenetically regulated imprinted genes and foetal programming.

Eric B Keverne1

  • 1Sub-Department of Animal Behaviour, University of Cambridge, Madingley, Cambridge, CB23 8AA, UK. ebk10@cam.ac.uk

Neurotoxicity Research
|March 24, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Genomic imprinting regulates nutrient transfer and maternal care via placenta-brain communication. This epigenetic process ensures infant survival by adapting fetal development to maternal resource availability, creating a thrifty phenotype.

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Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Developmental Biology
  • Neuroendocrinology

Background:

  • Genomic imprinting is a key epigenetic mechanism in mammals.
  • Imprinted genes are crucial in both the developing hypothalamus and placenta.
  • The placenta and brain interact to coordinate maternal-fetal resource allocation and maternal care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the functional interaction between the placenta and hypothalamus in mammals.
  • To understand how epigenetic imprinting influences maternal-fetal communication and resource allocation.
  • To explore the evolutionary fine-tuning of these interactions for infant survival.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of imprinted gene expression in placental and hypothalamic tissues.
  • Investigating the role of epigenetic modifications in regulating gene function.
  • Comparative studies across mammalian species to understand evolutionary adaptations.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated functional crosstalk between the developing hypothalamus and placenta.
  • Identified specific imprinted genes involved in nutrient sensing and maternal behavior.
  • Showcased how maternal nutritional status epigenetically signals to the fetus.

Conclusions:

  • Genomic imprinting is central to the coordinated development of maternal-fetal interactions.
  • This epigenetic regulation optimizes offspring survival by preparing them for anticipated postnatal environments.
  • The hypothalamus-placenta axis, modulated by imprinting, is critical for adaptive developmental programming.