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Inheritance of Cytosine Methylation
Desiree Tillo1, Sanjit Mukherjee1, Charles Vinson1
1Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
Journal of Cellular Physiology
|February 25, 2016
Summary
Epigenetic inheritance involves molecules like RNA and DNA methylation passed across generations. Research is uncovering how sperm DNA methylation influences offspring, though individual variation can obscure diet-related changes.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Parental transgenerational epigenetic inheritance is mediated by molecules such as RNA, chromatin modifications, and cytosine methylation.
- Advances in DNA sequencing are enabling the study of molecular and epigenetic mechanisms underlying these effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review examples of epigenetic inheritance.
- To discuss the establishment of cytosine methylation in sperm.
- To highlight genomic studies linking sperm cytosine methylation to offspring epigenetic effects.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on epigenetic inheritance.
- Examination of genomic studies investigating sperm cytosine methylation.
- Analysis of a study on diet-induced changes in sperm cytosine methylation in animals.
Main Results:
- A study on diet and sperm cytosine methylation found inter-individual epivariation greater than diet-induced differences.
- This high epivariation obscured potential diet-related methylation changes.
- Unraveling mechanisms of cytosine methylation regulation is crucial.
Conclusions:
- Further research into epivariation is needed to understand cytosine methylation regulation.
- Alternative experimental and genetic systems may yield more pronounced changes in the sperm methylome, aiding transgenerational phenomena research.
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