Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026
10:28
Author Spotlight: RNAi Inheritance and ChIP in C. elegans
Published on: May 5, 2023
4.9K
Transgenerational inheritance: Models and mechanisms of non-DNA sequence-based inheritance
Eric A Miska1,2, Anne C Ferguson-Smith3
1Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|November 16, 2016
Summary
Inheritance beyond DNA sequences is evident across many species, challenging traditional genetics. Understanding these non-DNA inheritance mechanisms is crucial for a complete view of heritability in health and disease.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Epigenetics
- Transgenerational Inheritance
Background:
- Traditionally, heritability was exclusively linked to DNA sequence.
- Non-DNA sequence-based inheritance is now recognized across diverse organisms, including mammals.
- Molecular mechanisms in mammals remain challenging to fully elucidate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence, concepts, and potential mechanisms of non-DNA sequence-based transgenerational inheritance.
- To highlight model systems used to study these phenomena.
- To explore the implications for health and disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature and evidence.
- Discussion of conceptual frameworks for non-DNA inheritance.
- Analysis of model systems and their applications.
Main Results:
- Non-DNA sequence-based inheritance is a widespread biological phenomenon.
- Mechanisms may involve transcriptional and/or posttranscriptional regulation.
- Phenotypes can be replicated or reconstructed across generations.
Conclusions:
- Non-DNA sequence-based inheritance plays a significant role in biological inheritance.
- Understanding these mechanisms is essential for a comprehensive grasp of heritability.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate molecular pathways and implications.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Non-nuclear Inheritance
5.5K
5.5K
01:29Non-nuclear Inheritance
23.4K
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.
23.4K
03:17Inheritance of Chromatin Structures
7.8K
Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying...
7.8K
01:25Inheritance
1.8K
Gregor Mendel's pioneering work on the principles of inheritance fundamentally transformed our understanding of how traits are transmitted from generation to generation. His experiments with pea plants laid the groundwork for the discovery of genes, discrete units within organisms that control heredity.
Each gene exists in pairs, and the combination of these genes from both parents forms an individual's genotype. This genotype is a blueprint of potential traits. Examples of genotype...
Each gene exists in pairs, and the combination of these genes from both parents forms an individual's genotype. This genotype is a blueprint of potential traits. Examples of genotype...
1.8K
02:59Animal Mitochondrial Genetics
9.8K
Among all the organelles in an animal cell, only mitochondria have their own independent genomes. Animal mitochondrial DNA is a double-stranded, closed-circular molecule with around 20,000 base pairs. Mitochondrial DNA is unique in that one of its two strands, the heavy, or H, -strand is guanine rich, whereas the complementary strand is cytosine rich and called the light, or L, -strand. Compared to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA has a very low percentage of non-coding regions and is marked by...
9.8K
01:39Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance
61.0K
In 1866, Gregor Mendel published the results of his pea plant breeding experiments, providing evidence for predictable patterns in the inheritance of physical characteristics. The significance of his findings was not immediately recognized. In fact, the existence of genes was unknown at the time. Mendel referred to hereditary units as “factors.”
61.0K