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Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

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Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
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Epigenetic Regulation01:37

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Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
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Genomics is the science of genomes: it is the study of all the genetic material of an organism. In humans, the genome consists of information carried in 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus, as well as mitochondrial DNA. In genomics, both coding and non-coding DNA is sequenced and analyzed. Genomics allows a better understanding of all living things, their evolution, and their diversity. It has a myriad of uses: for example, to build phylogenetic trees, to improve productivity and...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 12, 2026

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Environmental epigenomics and the human imprintome.

Randy L Jirtle1,2,3

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States.

Environmental Epigenetics
|November 3, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Environmental epigenetics offers hope for disease prevention. Maternal diet in utero can modify offspring epigenomes, influencing adult health and disease risk, highlighting the impact of environmental factors on health.

Keywords:
CoRSIVsDOHaDchronic diseasesepigeneticsgenomic imprintingimprintomeradiation hormesis

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental epigenetics
  • Genomic imprinting
  • Developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD)

Background:

  • Genomic imprinting involves epigenetic silencing of one parental allele.
  • Research since 1995 identified the first imprinted tumor suppressor gene, IGF2R.
  • The agouti viable yellow (Avy) mouse model demonstrated maternal dietary effects on offspring epigenome and phenotype.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the field of environmental epigenetics.
  • To discuss the role of the human imprintome and CoRSIVs in disease and development.
  • To highlight epigenetics as a "science of hope" for disease prevention and amelioration of toxicant effects.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing the agouti viable yellow (Avy) mouse model to study maternal dietary effects.
  • Investigating imprinted genes like IGF2R.
  • Analyzing environmentally labile cis-acting regulatory elements (human imprintome) and CoRSIVs.

Main Results:

  • Maternal dietary methyl donor exposure in utero altered offspring phenotype via epigenome modification.
  • Established a link between epigenetics and the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD).
  • Identified IGF2R as the first imprinted tumor suppressor gene.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetics, influenced by diet and lifestyle, offers potential for chronic disease prevention.
  • Environmental factors can modify the epigenome, impacting health and behavior.
  • The human imprintome and CoRSIVs are crucial in disease etiology and developmental processes.