Bridging maternal effects and epitranscriptomics: A novel perspective in developmental biology

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Genetics
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Maternal effects significantly impact offspring phenotype, but RNA-level mechanisms are unclear.
• Epitranscriptomics reveals RNA modifications as a key regulatory layer in gene expression.
• Understanding these maternal influences is crucial for developmental biology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a conceptual link between maternal effects and epitranscriptomic mechanisms.
• To explore how maternal environments shape offspring phenotypes via RNA modifications.
• To introduce the concept of "maternal RNA imprinting".

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of evidence from diverse biological systems.
• Examination of maternal deposition of modified RNAs.
• Analysis of environmental modulation of RNA-modifying enzymes and developmental windows.

Main Results:

• Maternal environments can modulate the offspring epitranscriptome, leading to lasting phenotypic consequences.
• Distinction between placenta-mediated and direct fetal-tissue pathways of maternal influence.
• Convergent evidence suggests RNA modifications mediate maternal effects.

Conclusions:

• Maternal RNA imprinting offers a framework for understanding maternal influences on development.
• Further interdisciplinary research is needed to explore the intersection of maternal biology and RNA regulation.
• Chemical RNA modifications represent a critical, yet understudied, component of maternal effects.