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Ruuskanen S. Early-life environmental effects on birds: epigenetics and microbiome as mechanisms underlying long-lasting phenotypic changes. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246024. [PMID: 38449325 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Although the long-lasting effects of variation in early-life environment have been well documented across organisms, the underlying causal mechanisms are only recently starting to be unraveled. Yet understanding the underlying mechanisms of long-lasting effects can help us predict how organisms will respond to changing environments. Birds offer a great system in which to study developmental plasticity and its underlying mechanisms owing to the production of large external eggs and variation in developmental trajectories, combined with a long tradition of applied, physiological, ecological and evolutionary research. Epigenetic changes (such as DNA methylation) have been suggested to be a key mechanism mediating long-lasting effects of the early-life environment across taxa. More recently, changes in the early-life gut microbiome have been identified as another potential mediator of developmental plasticity. As a first step in understanding whether these mechanisms contribute to developmental plasticity in birds, this Review summarizes how changes in early-life environment (both prenatal and postnatal) influence epigenetic markers and the gut microbiome. The literature shows how both early-life biotic (such as resources and social environment) and abiotic (thermal environment and various anthropogenic stressors) factors modify epigenetic markers and the gut microbiome in birds, yet data concerning many other environmental factors are limited. The causal links of these modifications to lasting phenotypic changes are still scarce, but changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis have been identified as one putative pathway. This Review identifies several knowledge gaps, including data on the long-term effects, stability of the molecular changes, and lack of diversity in the systems studied, and provides directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvi Ruuskanen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Survontie 9C, 40500 Jyväskylä, Finland
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnankatu 5, 20500 Turku, Finland
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2
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Zhang Y, Yan Z, Nan N, Qin G, Sang N. Circadian rhythm disturbances involved in ozone-induced glucose metabolism disorder in mouse liver. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167316. [PMID: 37742977 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Ozone (O3) is a key environmental factor for developing diabetes. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate alterations of glycometabolism in mice after O3 exposure and the role of circadian rhythms in this process. C57BL/6 male mice were randomly assigned to O3 (0.5 ppm) or filtered air for four weeks (4 h/day). Then, hepatic tissues of mice were collected at 4 h intervals within 24 h after O3 exposure to test. The results showed that hepatic circadian rhythm genes oscillated abnormally, mainly at zeitgeber time (ZT)8 and ZT20 after O3 exposure. Furthermore, detection of glycometabolism (metabolites, enzymes, and genes) revealed that O3 caused change in the daily oscillations of glycometabolism. The serum glucose content decreased at ZT4 and ZT20, while hepatic glucose enhanced at ZT16 and ZT24(0). Both G6pc and Pck1, which are associated with hepatic gluconeogenesis, significantly increased at ZT20. O3 exposure disrupted glycometabolism by increasing gluconeogenesis and decreasing glycolysis in mice liver. Finally, correlation analysis showed that the association between Bmal1 and O3-induced disruption of glycometabolism was the strongest. The findings emphasized the interaction between adverse outcomes of circadian rhythms and glycometabolism following O3 exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaru Zhang
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhipeng Yan
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Nan
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, People's Republic of China
| | - Guohua Qin
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, People's Republic of China.
| | - Nan Sang
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, People's Republic of China
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Le Clercq LS, Kotzé A, Grobler JP, Dalton DL. Biological clocks as age estimation markers in animals: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:1972-2011. [PMID: 37356823 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Various biological attributes associated with individual fitness in animals change predictably over the lifespan of an organism. Therefore, the study of animal ecology and the work of conservationists frequently relies upon the ability to assign animals to functionally relevant age classes to model population fitness. Several approaches have been applied to determining individual age and, while these methods have proved useful, they are not without limitations and often lack standardisation or are only applicable to specific species. For these reasons, scientists have explored the potential use of biological clocks towards creating a universal age-determination method. Two biological clocks, tooth layer annulation and otolith layering have found universal appeal. Both methods are highly invasive and most appropriate for post-mortem age-at-death estimation. More recently, attributes of cellular ageing previously explored in humans have been adapted to studying ageing in animals for the use of less-invasive molecular methods for determining age. Here, we review two such methods, assessment of methylation and telomere length, describing (i) what they are, (ii) how they change with age, and providing (iii) a summary and meta-analysis of studies that have explored their utility in animal age determination. We found that both attributes have been studied across multiple vertebrate classes, however, telomere studies were used before methylation studies and telomere length has been modelled in nearly twice as many studies. Telomere length studies included in the review often related changes to stress responses and illustrated that telomere length is sensitive to environmental and social stressors and, in the absence of repair mechanisms such as telomerase or alternative lengthening modes, lacks the ability to recover. Methylation studies, however, while also detecting sensitivity to stressors and toxins, illustrated the ability to recover from such stresses after a period of accelerated ageing, likely due to constitutive expression or reactivation of repair enzymes such as DNA methyl transferases. We also found that both studied attributes have parentally heritable features, but the mode of inheritance differs among taxa and may relate to heterogamy. Our meta-analysis included more than 40 species in common for methylation and telomere length, although both analyses included at least 60 age-estimation models. We found that methylation outperforms telomere length in terms of predictive power evidenced from effect sizes (more than double that observed for telomeres) and smaller prediction intervals. Both methods produced age correlation models using similar sample sizes and were able to classify individuals into young, middle, or old age classes with high accuracy. Our review and meta-analysis illustrate that both methods are well suited to studying age in animals and do not suffer significantly from variation due to differences in the lifespan of the species, genome size, karyotype, or tissue type but rather that quantitative method, patterns of inheritance, and environmental factors should be the main considerations. Thus, provided that complex factors affecting the measured trait can be accounted for, both methylation and telomere length are promising targets to develop as biomarkers for age determination in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis-Stéphane Le Clercq
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - J Paul Grobler
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Desiré Lee Dalton
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BA, UK
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Laine VN, Sepers B, Lindner M, Gawehns F, Ruuskanen S, van Oers K. An ecologist's guide for studying DNA methylation variation in wild vertebrates. Mol Ecol Resour 2023; 23:1488-1508. [PMID: 35466564 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The field of molecular biology is advancing fast with new powerful technologies, sequencing methods and analysis software being developed constantly. Commonly used tools originally developed for research on humans and model species are now regularly used in ecological and evolutionary research. There is also a growing interest in the causes and consequences of epigenetic variation in natural populations. Studying ecological epigenetics is currently challenging, especially for vertebrate systems, because of the required technical expertise, complications with analyses and interpretation, and limitations in acquiring sufficiently high sample sizes. Importantly, neglecting the limitations of the experimental setup, technology and analyses may affect the reliability and reproducibility, and the extent to which unbiased conclusions can be drawn from these studies. Here, we provide a practical guide for researchers aiming to study DNA methylation variation in wild vertebrates. We review the technical aspects of epigenetic research, concentrating on DNA methylation using bisulfite sequencing, discuss the limitations and possible pitfalls, and how to overcome them through rigid and reproducible data analysis. This review provides a solid foundation for the proper design of epigenetic studies, a clear roadmap on the best practices for correct data analysis and a realistic view on the limitations for studying ecological epigenetics in vertebrates. This review will help researchers studying the ecological and evolutionary implications of epigenetic variation in wild populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika N Laine
- Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bernice Sepers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Melanie Lindner
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Chronobiology Unit, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Fleur Gawehns
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Suvi Ruuskanen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Finland
| | - Kees van Oers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Le Clercq LS, Bazzi G, Cecere JG, Gianfranceschi L, Grobler JP, Kotzé A, Rubolini D, Liedvogel M, Dalton DL. Time trees and clock genes: a systematic review and comparative analysis of contemporary avian migration genetics. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:1051-1080. [PMID: 36879518 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Timing is a crucial aspect for survival and reproduction in seasonal environments leading to carefully scheduled annual programs of migration in many species. But what are the exact mechanisms through which birds (class: Aves) can keep track of time, anticipate seasonal changes, and adapt their behaviour? One proposed mechanism regulating annual behaviour is the circadian clock, controlled by a highly conserved set of genes, collectively called 'clock genes' which are well established in controlling the daily rhythmicity of physiology and behaviour. Due to diverse migration patterns observed within and among species, in a seemingly endogenously programmed manner, the field of migration genetics has sought and tested several candidate genes within the clock circuitry that may underlie the observed differences in breeding and migration behaviour. Among others, length polymorphisms within genes such as Clock and Adcyap1 have been hypothesised to play a putative role, although association and fitness studies in various species have yielded mixed results. To contextualise the existing body of data, here we conducted a systematic review of all published studies relating polymorphisms in clock genes to seasonality in a phylogenetically and taxonomically informed manner. This was complemented by a standardised comparative re-analysis of candidate gene polymorphisms of 76 bird species, of which 58 are migrants and 18 are residents, along with population genetics analyses for 40 species with available allele data. We tested genetic diversity estimates, used Mantel tests for spatial genetic analyses, and evaluated relationships between candidate gene allele length and population averages for geographic range (breeding- and non-breeding latitude), migration distance, timing of migration, taxonomic relationships, and divergence times. Our combined analysis provided evidence (i) of a putative association between Clock gene variation and autumn migration as well as a putative association between Adcyap1 gene variation and spring migration in migratory species; (ii) that these candidate genes are not diagnostic markers to distinguish migratory from sedentary birds; and (iii) of correlated variability in both genes with divergence time, potentially reflecting ancestrally inherited genotypes rather than contemporary changes driven by selection. These findings highlight a tentative association between these candidate genes and migration attributes as well as genetic constraints on evolutionary adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis-Stéphane Le Clercq
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Gaia Bazzi
- Area Avifauna Migratrice, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, via Ca' Fornacetta 9, Ozzano Emilia (BO), I-40064, Italy
| | - Jacopo G Cecere
- Area Avifauna Migratrice, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, via Ca' Fornacetta 9, Ozzano Emilia (BO), I-40064, Italy
| | - Luca Gianfranceschi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, Milan, I-20133, Italy
| | - Johannes Paul Grobler
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, Milan, I-20133, Italy
- Istituto di Ricerca sulle Acque, IRSA-CNR, Via del Mulino 19, Brugherio (MB), I-20861, Italy
| | - Miriam Liedvogel
- Max Planck Research Group Behavioral Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, 24306, Germany
- Institute of Avian Research, An der Vogelwarte 21, Wilhelmshaven, 26386, Germany
| | - Desiré Lee Dalton
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BA, UK
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Torres-Blas I, Horsler H, Paredes UM, Perkins M, Priestnall SL, Brekke P. Impact of exposure to urban air pollution on grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) lung health. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 326:121312. [PMID: 36893972 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The increased rate of global urbanisation has recently exacerbated the significant public health problem of traffic related air pollution. Despite the known significant impact on human health, little is known about the effects of air pollution on wildlife health. The lung is the primary target organ for the effects of exposure to air pollution, leading to lung inflammation, altering the lung epigenome, culminating in respiratory disease. In this study, we aimed to assess lung health and DNA methylation profiles in Eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) populations living across an urban-rural air pollution gradient. Squirrel lung health was assessed in four populations situated across the most polluted inner-city boroughs to the less polluted edges of Greater London. We also assessed lung DNA methylation across three London sites and a further two rural sites in Sussex and North Wales. Lung and tracheal diseases were present in 28% and 13% of the squirrels respectively. Specifically, focal inflammation (13%), focal macrophages with vacuolated cytoplasm (3%) and endogenous lipid pneumonia (3%). There was no significant difference in prevalence of lung, tracheal diseases, anthracosis (carbon presence) or lung DNA methylation levels between urban sites and urban and rural sites respectively or NO2 levels. BALT (Bronchus-Associated Lymphoid Tissue) was significantly smaller in the site with highest NO2 and contained the highest carbon loading compared to sites with lower NO2, however differences in carbon loading in between sites were not significant. High pollution site individuals also had significantly higher numbers of alveolar macrophages which suggests that grey squirrels are exposed to and respond to traffic-related air pollution and further research is needed to understand the impact of traffic-related air pollutants on wildlife health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Torres-Blas
- Dept Pathobiology & Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, N Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK; Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Helen Horsler
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Ursula M Paredes
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Matthew Perkins
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Simon L Priestnall
- Dept Pathobiology & Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, N Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK
| | - Patricia Brekke
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK.
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7
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Sepers B, Mateman AC, Gawehns F, Verhoeven KJF, van Oers K. Developmental stress does not induce genome-wide DNA methylation changes in wild great tit (Parus major) nestlings. Mol Ecol 2023. [PMID: 37154074 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The environment experienced during early life is a crucial factor in the life of many organisms. This early life environment has been shown to have profound effects on morphology, physiology and fitness. However, the molecular mechanisms that mediate these effects are largely unknown, even though they are essential for our understanding of the processes that induce phenotypic variation in natural populations. DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that has been suggested to explain such environmentally induced phenotypic changes early in life. To investigate whether DNA methylation changes are associated with experimentally induced early developmental effects, we cross-fostered great tit (Parus major) nestlings and manipulated their brood sizes in a natural study population. We assessed experimental brood size effects on pre-fledging biometry and behaviour. We linked this to genome-wide DNA methylation levels of CpG sites in erythrocyte DNA, using 122 individuals and an improved epiGBS2 laboratory protocol. Brood enlargement caused developmental stress and negatively affected nestling condition, predominantly during the second half of the breeding season, when conditions are harsher. Brood enlargement, however, affected nestling DNA methylation in only one CpG site and only if the hatch date was taken into account. In conclusion, this study shows that nutritional stress in enlarged broods does not associate with direct effects on genome-wide DNA methylation. Future studies should assess whether genome-wide DNA methylation variation may arise later in life as a consequence of phenotypic changes during early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernice Sepers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - A Christa Mateman
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Fleur Gawehns
- Bioinformatics Unit, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Koen J F Verhoeven
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kees van Oers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, The Netherlands
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van Oers K, van den Heuvel K, Sepers B. The Epigenetics of Animal Personality. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 150:105194. [PMID: 37094740 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Animal personality, consistent individual differences in behaviour, is an important concept for understanding how individuals vary in how they cope with environmental challenges. In order to understand the evolutionary significance of animal personality, it is crucial to understand the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation are hypothesised to play a major role in explaining variation in phenotypic changes in response to environmental alterations. Several characteristics of DNA methylation also align well with the concept of animal personality. In this review paper, we summarise the current literature on the role that molecular epigenetic mechanisms may have in explaining personality variation. We elaborate on the potential for epigenetic mechanisms to explain behavioural variation, behavioural development and temporal consistency in behaviour. We then suggest future routes for this emerging field and point to potential pitfalls that may be encountered. We conclude that a more inclusive approach is needed for studying the epigenetics of animal personality and that epigenetic mechanisms cannot be studied without considering the genetic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kees van Oers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands; Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Krista van den Heuvel
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands; Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Bernice Sepers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands; Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Daiber A, Frenis K, Kuntic M, Li H, Wolf E, Kilgallen AB, Lecour S, Van Laake LW, Schulz R, Hahad O, Münzel T. Redox Regulatory Changes of Circadian Rhythm by the Environmental Risk Factors Traffic Noise and Air Pollution. Antioxid Redox Signal 2022; 37:679-703. [PMID: 35088601 PMCID: PMC9618394 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2021.0272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Risk factors in the environment such as air pollution and traffic noise contribute to the development of chronic noncommunicable diseases. Recent Advances: Epidemiological data suggest that air pollution and traffic noise are associated with a higher risk for cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental disease, including hypertension, heart failure, myocardial infarction, diabetes, arrhythmia, stroke, neurodegeneration, depression, and anxiety disorders, mainly by activation of stress hormone signaling, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Critical Issues: We here provide an in-depth review on the impact of the environmental risk factors air pollution and traffic noise exposure (components of the external exposome) on cardiovascular health, with special emphasis on the role of environmentally triggered oxidative stress and dysregulation of the circadian clock. Also, a general introduction on the contribution of circadian rhythms to cardiovascular health and disease as well as a detailed mechanistic discussion of redox regulatory pathways of the circadian clock system is provided. Future Directions: Finally, we discuss the potential of preventive strategies or "chrono" therapy for cardioprotection. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 679-703.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Daiber
- Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology 1, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany
- Address correspondence to: Dr. Andreas Daiber, Labor für Molekulare Kardiologie, Abteilung für Kardiologie 1, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Geb. 605 – Raum 3.262, Langenbeckstr. 1, Mainz 55131, Germany
| | - Katie Frenis
- Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology 1, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Marin Kuntic
- Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology 1, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Huige Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Eva Wolf
- Structural Chronobiology, Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
| | - Aoife B. Kilgallen
- Division Heart and Lungs, Regenerative Medicine Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sandrine Lecour
- Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Linda W. Van Laake
- Division Heart and Lungs, Regenerative Medicine Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rainer Schulz
- Institute for Physiology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Omar Hahad
- Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology 1, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Münzel
- Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology 1, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany
- Address correspondence to: Dr. Thomas Münzel, Labor für Molekulare Kardiologie, Abteilung für Kardiologie 1, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Geb. 605 – Raum 3.262, Langenbeckstr. 1, Mainz 55131, Germany
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10
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Watson H, Powell D, Salmón P, Jacobs A, Isaksson C. Urbanization is associated with modifications in DNA methylation in a small passerine bird. Evol Appl 2021; 14:85-98. [PMID: 33519958 PMCID: PMC7819559 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization represents a fierce driver of phenotypic change, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying observed phenotypic patterns are poorly understood. Epigenetic changes are expected to facilitate more rapid adaption to changing or novel environments, such as our towns and cities, compared with slow changes in gene sequence. A comparison of liver and blood tissue from great tits Parus major originating from an urban and a forest site demonstrated that urbanization is associated with variation in genome-wide patterns of DNA methylation. Combining reduced representation bisulphite sequencing with transcriptome data, we revealed habitat differences in DNA methylation patterns that suggest a regulated and coordinated response to the urban environment. In the liver, genomic sites that were differentially methylated between urban- and forest-dwelling birds were over-represented in regulatory regions of the genome and more likely to occur in expressed genes. DNA methylation levels were also inversely correlated with gene expression at transcription start sites. Furthermore, differentially methylated CpG sites, in liver, were over-represented in pathways involved in (i) steroid biosynthesis, (ii) superoxide metabolism, (iii) secondary alcohol metabolism, (iv) chylomicron remodelling, (v) cholesterol transport, (vi) reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolic process and (vii) epithelial cell proliferation. This corresponds with earlier studies identifying diet and exposure to ROS as two of the main drivers of divergence between organisms in urban and nonurban environments. Conversely, in blood, sites that were differentially methylated between urban- and forest-dwelling birds were under-represented in regulatory regions, more likely to occur in nonexpressed genes and not over-represented in specific biological pathways. It remains to be determined whether diverging patterns of DNA methylation represent adaptive evolutionary responses and whether the conclusions can be more widely attributed to urbanization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Watson
- Evolutionary Ecology, Biology DepartmentLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Daniel Powell
- Evolutionary Ecology, Biology DepartmentLund UniversityLundSweden
- Global Change Ecology, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsQLDAustralia
| | - Pablo Salmón
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Arne Jacobs
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Department of Natural ResourcesCornell UniversityIthacaNYUSA
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Saino N, Albetti B, Ambrosini R, Caprioli M, Costanzo A, Mariani J, Parolini M, Romano A, Rubolini D, Formenti G, Gianfranceschi L, Bollati V. Inter-generational resemblance of methylation levels at circadian genes and associations with phenology in the barn swallow. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6505. [PMID: 31019206 PMCID: PMC6482194 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42798-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of gene expression can occur via epigenetic effects as mediated by DNA methylation. The potential for epigenetic effects to be transmitted across generations, thus modulating phenotypic variation and affecting ecological and evolutionary processes, is increasingly appreciated. However, the study of variation in epigenomes and inter-generational transmission of epigenetic alterations in wild populations is at its very infancy. We studied sex- and age-related variation in DNA methylation and parent-offspring resemblance in methylation profiles in the barn swallows. We focused on a class of highly conserved ‘clock’ genes (clock, cry1, per2, per3, timeless) relevant in the timing of activities of major ecological importance. In addition, we considerably expanded previous analyses on the relationship between methylation at clock genes and breeding date, a key fitness trait in barn swallows. We found positive assortative mating for methylation at one clock locus. Methylation varied between the nestling and the adult stage, and according to sex. Individuals with relatively high methylation as nestlings also had high methylation levels when adults. Extensive parent-nestling resemblance in methylation levels was observed. Occurrence of extra-pair fertilizations allowed to disclose evidence hinting at a prevalence of paternal germline or sperm quality effects over common environment effects in generating father-offspring resemblance in methylation. Finally, we found an association between methylation at the clock poly-Q region, but not at other loci, and breeding date. We thus provided evidence for sex-dependent variation and the first account of parent-offspring resemblance in methylation in any wild vertebrate. We also showed that epigenetics may influence phenotypic plasticity of timing of life cycle events, thus having a major impact on fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Saino
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Benedetta Albetti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, via S. Barnaba 8, I-20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Ambrosini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Caprioli
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Costanzo
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Mariani
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, via S. Barnaba 8, I-20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Romano
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy.,Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Building Biophore, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulio Formenti
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Gianfranceschi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Bollati
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, via S. Barnaba 8, I-20122, Milan, Italy.
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12
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The role of clock genes in the etiology of Major Depressive Disorder: Special Section on "Translational and Neuroscience Studies in Affective Disorders". Section Editor, Maria Nobile MD, PhD. This Section of JAD focuses on the relevance of translational and neuroscience studies in providing a better understanding of the neural basis of affective disorders. The main aim is to briefly summaries relevant research findings in clinical neuroscience with particular regards to specific innovative topics in mood and anxiety disorders. J Affect Disord 2018; 234:351-357. [PMID: 29128257 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circadian rhythms are largely dysregulated in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The present review provides a summary of the findings about the role of clock genes in the etiology of MDD. METHODS A careful search of articles on Pubmed, PsycINFO, Isi Web of Knowledge was performed in order to obtain a comprehensive review about the topic. RESULTS The studies reported contrasting results about the association of different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in clock genes and MDD. The most consistent result reported the association between SNP rs2287161 of CRY1 and MDD development. LIMITATIONS Most of the published papers on the topic show bias as a prevalence of Asian ethnicity or not blinded conditions of laboratory experiments with respect to subjects' conditions (healthy controls or MDD). CONCLUSION Further epigenetic and genome-wide studies are necessary to have a more clear idea about the role of clock genes in the etiology of MDD.
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Haberzettl P. Circadian toxicity of environmental pollution. Inhalation of polluted air to give a precedent. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 5:16-24. [PMID: 30931418 DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Exposures to environmental stressors that derive from pollution (e.g. air, light) or lifestyle choices (e.g. diet, activity, 24-hour-×-7-day) are associated with adverse human health outcomes. For instance, there is evidence that air pollution exposure and changes in sleep/wake pattern increase the risk for vascular and cardiometabolic disorders. Interestingly, air pollution exposure affects pulmonary and cardiovascular functions that follow circadian rhythmicity and increases the risk for pulmonary and cardiovascular events that occur in diurnal patterns suggesting a link between air pollution induced cardiovascular and pulmonary injury and changes in circadian rhythm. Indeed, recent research identified circadian rhythm as an air pollution target and circadian rhythm as factor that increases air pollution sensitivity. Using air pollution exposure as precedent, this review highlights research on how environmental pollution affect circadian rhythm and how circadian rhythm affects the toxicity of environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Haberzettl
- Diabetes and Obesity Center, Institute of Molecular Cardiology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
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14
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De Paoli-Iseppi R, Deagle BE, McMahon CR, Hindell MA, Dickinson JL, Jarman SN. Measuring Animal Age with DNA Methylation: From Humans to Wild Animals. Front Genet 2017; 8:106. [PMID: 28878806 PMCID: PMC5572392 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2017.00106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation (DNAm) is a key mechanism for regulating gene expression in animals and levels are known to change with age. Recent studies have used DNAm changes as a biomarker to estimate chronological age in humans and these techniques are now also being applied to domestic and wild animals. Animal age is widely used to track ongoing changes in ecosystems, however chronological age information is often unavailable for wild animals. An ability to estimate age would lead to improved monitoring of (i) population trends and status and (ii) demographic properties such as age structure and reproductive performance. Recent studies have revealed new examples of DNAm age association in several new species increasing the potential for developing DNAm age biomarkers for a broad range of wild animals. Emerging technologies for measuring DNAm will also enhance our ability to study age-related DNAm changes and to develop new molecular age biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo De Paoli-Iseppi
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of TasmaniaHobart, TAS, Australia.,Australian Antarctic DivisionHobart, TAS, Australia
| | | | | | - Mark A Hindell
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of TasmaniaHobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Joanne L Dickinson
- Cancer, Genetics and Immunology Group, Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchHobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Simon N Jarman
- Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin UniversityPerth, WA, Australia.,CSIRO Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, University of Western AustraliaPerth, WA, Australia
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15
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Saino N, Ambrosini R, Albetti B, Caprioli M, De Giorgio B, Gatti E, Liechti F, Parolini M, Romano A, Romano M, Scandolara C, Gianfranceschi L, Bollati V, Rubolini D. Migration phenology and breeding success are predicted by methylation of a photoperiodic gene in the barn swallow. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45412. [PMID: 28361883 PMCID: PMC5374444 DOI: 10.1038/srep45412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals often considerably differ in the timing of their life-cycle events, with major consequences for individual fitness, and, ultimately, for population dynamics. Phenological variation can arise from genetic effects but also from epigenetic modifications in DNA expression and translation. Here, we tested if CpG methylation at the poly-Q and 5'-UTR loci of the photoperiodic Clock gene predicted migration and breeding phenology of long-distance migratory barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) that were tracked year-round using light-level geolocators. Increasing methylation at Clock poly-Q was associated with earlier spring departure from the African wintering area, arrival date at the European breeding site, and breeding date. Higher methylation levels also predicted increased breeding success. Thus, we showed for the first time in any species that CpG methylation at a candidate gene may affect phenology and breeding performance. Methylation at Clock may be a candidate mechanism mediating phenological responses of migratory birds to ongoing climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Saino
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Ambrosini
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 1, I-20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Benedetta Albetti
- EPIGET - Epidemiology, Epigenetics and Toxicology Lab - Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, via San Barnaba 8, I-20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Caprioli
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara De Giorgio
- EPIGET - Epidemiology, Epigenetics and Toxicology Lab - Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, via San Barnaba 8, I-20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Gatti
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 1, I-20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Felix Liechti
- Swiss Ornithological Insititute, Seerose 1, CH-6204, Sempach, Switzerland
| | - Marco Parolini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Romano
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Romano
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Scandolara
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Gianfranceschi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Bollati
- EPIGET - Epidemiology, Epigenetics and Toxicology Lab - Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, via San Barnaba 8, I-20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
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