Developmental origins of epigenetic transgenerational inheritance
Mark A Hanson1, Michael K Skinner2
1Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton and NIHR Nutrition Biomedical Research Centre, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO 16 6YD, UK.
Environmental Epigenetics
|July 9, 2016
Summary
Environmental factors can cause epigenetic changes in sperm and eggs, leading to transgenerational inheritance. These changes impact offspring development and disease risk, particularly during critical exposure windows.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Developmental Biology
- Transgenerational Inheritance
Background:
- Environmental factors can induce epigenetic alterations in germ cells.
- Epigenetic transgenerational inheritance is a non-genetic inheritance mechanism observed across diverse species.
- This phenomenon is linked to specific critical windows during germ cell development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the role of germ cell developmental biology in epigenetic transgenerational inheritance.
- To emphasize the importance of considering epigenetic processes in the developmental origins of health and disease.
- To differentiate developmental impacts from multigenerational exposures.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of existing research on epigenetic transgenerational inheritance.
- Focus on the critical windows of germ cell development during exposure.
- Conceptual framework integrating developmental biology and epigenetics.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic alterations in germ cells can be transmitted across generations.
- The developmental stage of germ cells influences the inheritance of epigenetic marks.
- Phenotypic variation and disease risk in offspring can be linked to parental environmental exposures via epigenetic mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic transgenerational inheritance is significantly influenced by germ cell development.
- Understanding these developmental impacts is crucial for comprehending non-genetic inheritance.
- Future research should integrate developmental biology and epigenetics to study transgenerational effects.
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