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07:59
Using a Comparative Species Approach to Investigate the Neurobiology of Paternal Responses
Published on: September 19, 2011
Nonmammalian parent-of-origin effects
1Albacete Science and Technology Park, Regional Center for Biomedical Research (C.R.I.B.), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain. elena.casaesperon@uclm.es
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|August 22, 2012
Summary
Epigenetic marks on chromosomes during reproduction lead to genomic imprinting. These parent-of-origin effects are common in sexually reproducing organisms and influence traits and diseases.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics and Developmental Biology
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Chromosomes gain distinct epigenetic marks during female (oogenesis) and male (spermatogenesis) gamete formation.
- These epigenetic differences, if maintained post-fertilization, can lead to genomic imprinting.
- Genomic imprinting is observed across numerous sexually reproducing species, not just an anomaly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the prevalence and significance of genomic imprinting.
- To explore the role of epigenetic mechanisms and evolutionary selective pressures in imprinting.
- To underscore the contribution of imprinting to various traits and diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of large-scale genetic and epigenetic studies.
- Comparative analysis of imprinting across different species.
- Investigation of selective forces influencing imprinting patterns.
Main Results:
- Parent-of-origin effects, or imprinting, are more widespread than previously recognized.
- Imprinting outcomes can vary based on differing selective pressures.
- Shared epigenetic mechanisms and selection pressures may explain common imprinting effects.
Conclusions:
- Genomic imprinting is a significant biological phenomenon with broad implications.
- Epigenetic regulation during gametogenesis plays a crucial role in inheritance.
- Imprinting contributes substantially to phenotypic variation, traits, and diseases.
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