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Phenotypic plasticity as a facilitator of microbial evolution.
Emerson Santiago1, David F Moreno1,2, Murat Acar1,2,3
1Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, 219 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
Environmental Epigenetics
|December 5, 2022
Summary
Epigenetics offers a flexible way to adapt to environmental changes, influencing evolution. This review explores epigenetic mechanisms, their role in phenotypic plasticity, and their synergy with genetic evolution.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
- Epigenetics
Background:
- The inheritance of acquired characteristics is now understood through epigenetics.
- Epigenetic traits offer flexibility for exploring phenotypic space and adapting to environments.
- Epigenetic mechanisms facilitate phenotypic plasticity and can drive evolutionary innovation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mechanisms of epigenetic information storage and transmission.
- To examine epigenetically regulated phenotypes.
- To discuss the evolvability of epigenetic traits and their synergy with genetic evolution.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on epigenetic mechanisms.
- Exploration of epigenetic information storage and intergenerational transmission.
- Analysis of epigenetic regulation of phenotypes and evolutionary processes.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic mechanisms provide low-cost exploration of phenotypic space.
- Epigenetic traits enable reactive tuning to environmental pressures.
- Potential for strong epigenetic-genetic evolutionary synergy exists.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetics provides a mechanism for rapid adaptation and evolutionary innovation.
- Baldwinian adaptive phenotypic plasticity is a key aspect of epigenetic evolvability.
- Synergy between epigenetic and genetic evolution is a critical area for future research.
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