Biological pathways to adaptability--interactions between genome, epigenome, nervous system and environment for...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Environmental adaptability is crucial for life's evolution and extends to adaptive behavior in animals and humans.
• Individual adaptability arises from the interaction of adaptation mechanisms across multiple functional levels.
• This integration coordinates genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors for adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the regulation of adaptation mechanisms across functional levels.
• To focus on neuronal activity-regulated adaptation mechanisms.
• To discuss molecules involved in neuronal adaptation and their effects on brain structure, function, and behavior.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on adaptation mechanisms.
• Focus on neuronal activity-regulated genes, noncoding DNA (ncDNA), ncRNAs, and proteins.
• Discussion of techniques combining genetic, behavioral, and neurophysiological measures in humans (e.g., genetic imaging).

Main Results:

• Adaptation involves integrating genetic, epigenetic, and environmental signals.
• Neuronal activity regulates genes, ncDNA, ncRNAs, and proteins to modify neuronal properties.
• Specific molecules influence brain structure, function, and behavior.

Conclusions:

• Understanding neuronal activity-dependent adaptation is essential for explaining individual variations in behavior and cognitive performance.
• Further research integrating genetic, epigenetic, and experience-dependent signals is needed.
• Human-based techniques like genetic imaging offer new avenues for studying adaptation.