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Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

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...

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Hypoxia Alters miRNAs Levels Involved in Non-Mendelian Inheritance of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Mice

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Published on: July 11, 2025

Paternal Benzo[a]pyrene Exposure Modulates MicroRNA Expression Patterns in the Developing Mouse Embryo.

Asgeir Brevik¹, Birgitte Lindeman, Gunnar Brunborg

¹Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Chemical Toxicology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404 Nydalen, 0403 OSLO, Norway.

International Journal of Cell Biology

|May 2, 2012

Summary

Paternal exposure to the environmental contaminant benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) altered microRNA (miRNA) expression in developing mouse embryos. These changes in miRNA targets suggest potential transgenerational effects from chemical exposures.

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Published on: March 6, 2018

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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Published on: March 6, 2018

Area of Science:

Environmental toxicology
Developmental biology
Molecular genetics

Background:

Environmental contaminants can impact reproductive health and offspring development.
The role of microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation in response to chemical exposure is not well understood.
Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a common environmental pollutant with known toxic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of paternal exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) on miRNA expression in mouse embryos.
To identify specific miRNAs and their target genes affected by B[a]P exposure.
To explore the potential for these changes to serve as biomarkers of B[a]P-induced genotoxic stress.

Main Methods:

Male mice were exposed to B[a]P (150 mg/kg).
Sperm from exposed mice were used for in vitro fertilization.
Genome-wide miRNA expression profiling was performed on embryos at 2-cell, 8-cell, and blastocyst stages.

Main Results:

Paternal B[a]P exposure significantly altered the expression of several miRNAs in developing embryos.
Target genes of dysregulated miRNAs were enriched in pathways crucial for embryonic development.
Specific miRNA target genes were identified as potential global markers of B[a]P-mediated genotoxic stress.

Conclusions:

Paternal exposure to B[a]P induces miRNA expression changes in offspring embryos.
Dysregulated miRNAs and their targets offer insights into the molecular mechanisms of B[a]P toxicity.
These findings highlight potential transgenerational impacts of sublethal environmental chemical exposure.