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02:18Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms
Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.
02:18Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms
Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.
02:32Position-effect Variegation
In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
02:30Genomic 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...
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
01:29Non-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.
01:29Non-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.
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10:28
Analysis of Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance in C. elegans Using a Fluorescent Reporter and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP)
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Transmission of programming effects across generations.
Amanda J Drake1, Jonathan R Seckl
1Endocrinology Unit, University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK. mandy.drake@ed.ac.uk
Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews : PER
|March 9, 2012
Summary
Early life environmental exposures can program later disease risk, with effects potentially passed to future generations through non-genomic mechanisms like epigenetics. This review explores evidence for intergenerational transmission of programmed health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Epigenetics
- Public health
Background:
- Early life environmental exposures are linked to increased risk of adult diseases (early life programming).
- Evidence suggests these programmed effects can transmit across generations via non-genomic pathways.
- Understanding intergenerational health is crucial for child health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence for intergenerational transmission of early life programming effects.
- To discuss potential non-genomic mechanisms involved in this transmission.
- To highlight the implications for child health.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological, human, and animal studies.
- Analysis of non-genomic transmission mechanisms.
- Synthesis of current evidence on early life programming.
Main Results:
- Early life programming significantly increases later disease risk.
- Intergenerational transmission of programmed phenotypes is supported by evidence.
- Mechanisms include environmental persistence, maternal physiology changes, and germline epigenetics.
Conclusions:
- Early life environmental exposures have long-term health consequences.
- Non-genomic mechanisms facilitate the transmission of programmed health risks across generations.
- Further research is vital for developing interventions to mitigate these risks and improve child health.