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Laporta J, Khatib H, Zachut M. Review: Phenotypic and molecular evidence of inter- and trans-generational effects of heat stress in livestock mammals and humans. Animal 2024:101121. [PMID: 38531705 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101121] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Internal and external factors can change an individual's phenotype. A significant external threat to humans and livestock is environmental heat load, a combination of high ambient temperatures and humidity. A heat stress response occurs when an endothermal animal is exposed to a heat load that challenges its' thermoregulation capacity. With the ongoing climate change trends, the incidence of chronically elevated temperatures causing heat stress is expected to rise, posing an even greater risk to the health and survival of all species. Heat stress is generally related to adverse effects on food intake, health, and performance in mammal livestock species and humans. Evidence from epidemiological and experimental studies of humans and livestock demonstrated that exposing pregnant females to heat stress affects the phenotype of the newborn in various ways. For instance, in utero heat stress is related to lower BW at birth and changes in metabolic and immune functions in the newborn. In cows, the effects of heat stress on the performance of the offspring last for three or four generations, suggesting intergenerational effects. The molecular mechanism orchestrating these effects of heat stress may be epigenetic regulation, as various epigenetic mechanisms control genome reprogramming. Epigenetic modifications are attached to DNA and histone proteins and can influence how specific genes are expressed, resulting in phenotypic changes. Epigenetic modifications can be triggered in response to environmental heat stress without altering the DNA sequence. Heat stress insults during critical periods of organ development (i.e., fetal exposure) can trigger epigenetic modifications that impact health and productivity across generations. Thus, epigenetic changes caused by extreme temperatures can be passed down to the offspring if the mother is exposed to the insult during pregnancy. Understanding the phenotypic and molecular consequences of maternal heat stress, including the carry-over lingering effects on the resulting progeny, is necessary to develop effective mitigation strategies and gain translational knowledge about the fundamental processes leading to intergenerational and transgenerational inheritance. This review examines the phenotypic and molecular evidence of how maternal exposure to extreme heat can affect future generations in several species, including humans, swine, sheep, goats, and cattle. The current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in intergenerational and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance will also be presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Laporta
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
| | - H Khatib
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - M Zachut
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Science, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel
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Scherer U, Ehlman SM, Bierbach D, Krause J, Wolf M. Reproductive individuality of clonal fish raised in near-identical environments and its link to early-life behavioral individuality. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7652. [PMID: 38001119 PMCID: PMC10673926 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43069-6] [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] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have documented among-individual phenotypic variation that emerges in the absence of apparent genetic and environmental differences, but it remains an open question whether such seemingly stochastic variation has fitness consequences. We perform a life-history experiment with naturally clonal fish, separated directly after birth into near-identical (i.e., highly standardized) environments, quantifying 2522 offspring from 152 broods over 280 days. We find that (i) individuals differ consistently in the size of offspring and broods produced over consecutive broods, (ii) these differences are observed even when controlling for trade-offs between brood size, offspring size and reproductive onset, indicating individual differences in life-history productivity and (iii) early-life behavioral individuality in activity and feeding patterns, with among-individual differences in feeding being predictive of growth, and consequently offspring size. Thus, our study provides experimental evidence that even when minimizing genetic and environmental differences, systematic individual differences in life-history measures and ultimately fitness can emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Scherer
- SCIoI Excellence Cluster, Technische Universität Berlin, 10587, Berlin, Germany.
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Sean M Ehlman
- SCIoI Excellence Cluster, Technische Universität Berlin, 10587, Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Bierbach
- SCIoI Excellence Cluster, Technische Universität Berlin, 10587, Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Krause
- SCIoI Excellence Cluster, Technische Universität Berlin, 10587, Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587, Berlin, Germany
| | - Max Wolf
- SCIoI Excellence Cluster, Technische Universität Berlin, 10587, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587, Berlin, Germany
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3
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Kovačević M, Stjepanović N, Zelić L, Lončarić Ž. Multigenerational and transgenerational effects of azoxystrobin on Folsomia candida. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 336:122398. [PMID: 37595731 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Soil organisms are exposed to various pollutants during several generations. However standard toxicity tests are often based on exposure in only one generation. Research of multigenerational (MG) and transgenerational (TG) effects are still quite scarce, however evidence accumulates that effects observed in one generation can be significantly different in some of the following generations, with different effects observed. Some studies suggest adaptation to pollutants, while others report severe effects in following generations. Azoxystrobin is commonly used in the prevention and treatment of fungal diseases in a wide range of economically important crops. The main aim of this study was to assess the toxic effects of azoxystrobin (AZO) on F. candida over 3 generations through the application of biochemical and population level biomarkers. Results of reproduction tests showed a significant decrease in estimated EC50 values, with EC50 for F0 being estimated at 104.44 mga.i./kgD.W.soil and only 15.4 mga.i./kgD.W.soil for F1. In F1 a significant reduction in the number of juveniles was observed, and at AZO concentration of 50 mga.i./kgD.W and higher, F1 did not reproduce. Significant oxidative stress was observed in all generations, with increased SOD and lipid damage that slowly decreased in subsequent generations. Transgenerational effects were also observed, with a significantly reduced number of juveniles in F1 and significant oxidative stress and lipid damage in all generations. IBRv2 showed that F1 was most affected, followed by F0, and least affected was F3. When considering the whole body energy budget, F1 to F3 had significantly higher WBEB compared to F0, and a shift in proportion of energy reserves occurred in F1, where the proportion of lipids increased while protein decreased. Results of this research show that considering standard toxicity tests, risks for populations of soil organisms are possibly severely underestimated. Therefore, standard toxicity guidelines should be supplemented by multigenerational tests, when possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Kovačević
- University of Osijek, Department of Biology, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, HR-31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Nikolina Stjepanović
- University of Osijek, Department of Biology, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, HR-31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Luca Zelić
- University of Osijek, Department of Biology, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, HR-31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Željka Lončarić
- University of Osijek, Department of Biology, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, HR-31000, Osijek, Croatia.
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4
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Lenzi C, Piat A, Schlich P, Ducau J, Bregliano JC, Aguilaniu H, Laurençon A. Parental age effect on the longevity and healthspan in Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:11720-11739. [PMID: 37917003 PMCID: PMC10683632 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have investigated the effect of parental age on biological parameters such as reproduction, lifespan, and health; however, the results have been inconclusive, largely due to inter-species variation and/or modest effect sizes. Here, we examined the effect of parental age on the lifespan, reproductive capacity, and locomotor activity of genetic isogenic lines of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We found that the progeny of successive generations of old parents had significantly shorter lifespans than the progeny of young parents in both species. Moreover, we investigated the fertility, fecundity, and locomotor activity of C. elegans. Interestingly, both the shorter lifespan and deteriorated healthspan of the progeny were significantly improved by switching to only one generation of younger parents. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the detrimental effect of older parental age on the longevity of the progeny can be reversed, suggesting the existence of a beneficial non-genetic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pascal Schlich
- INRA, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation (CSGA), Dijon, France
| | - Judith Ducau
- IBDM, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | | | | | - Anne Laurençon
- Institut de Genomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, UMR5242, Universite Claude Bernard-Lyon 1, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, Lyon, France
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5
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Gershoni M. Transgenerational transmission of environmental effects in livestock in the age of global warming. Cell Stress Chaperones 2023; 28:445-454. [PMID: 36715961 PMCID: PMC10468476 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-023-01325-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent decades provide mounting evidence for the continual increase in global temperatures, now termed "global warming," to the point of drastic worldwide change in the climate. Climatic change is a long-term shift in temperatures and weather patterns, including increased frequency and intensity of extreme environmental events such as heat waves accompanied by extreme temperatures and high humidity. Climate change and global warming put several challenges to the livestock industry by directly affecting the animal's production, reproduction, health, and welfare. The broad impact of global warming, and in particular heat stress, on-farm animals' performance has been comprehensively studied. It has been estimated that the US livestock industry's loss caused by heat stress is up to $2.4 billion annually. However, the long-term intergenerational and transgenerational effects of climatic change and global warming on farm animals are sparse. Transgenerational effects, which are mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, can affect the animal's performance regardless of its immediate environment by altering its phenotypic expression to fit its ancestors' environment. In many animal species, environmental effects are epigenetically encoded within a narrow time interval during the organism's gametogenesis, and these epigenetic modifications can then be intergenerationally transmitted. Several epigenetic mechanisms mediate intergenerational transmission of environmental effects, typically in a parent-dependent manner. Therefore, exposure of the animal to an extreme climatic event and other environmental stressors during gametogenesis can undergo epigenetic stabilization in the germline and be passed to the offspring. As a result, the offspring might express a phenotype adjusted to fit the stressors experienced by their ancestors, regardless of their direct environment. The purpose of this perspective is to review current evidence for intergenerational and transgenerational transmission of environmental stress effects, specifically in the context of global warming and climate change, and to offer viewpoints on the possible impacts on the livestock industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moran Gershoni
- Institute of Animal Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, 7505101, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
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6
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DiVito Evans A, Fairbanks RA, Schmidt P, Levine MT. Histone methylation regulates reproductive diapause in Drosophila melanogaster. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010906. [PMID: 37703303 PMCID: PMC10499233 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Fluctuating environments threaten fertility and viability. To better match the immediate, local environment, many organisms adopt alternative phenotypic states, a phenomenon called "phenotypic plasticity." Natural populations that predictably encounter fluctuating environments tend to be more plastic than conspecific populations that encounter a constant environment, suggesting that phenotypic plasticity can be adaptive. Despite pervasive evidence of such "adaptive phenotypic plasticity," gene regulatory mechanisms underlying plasticity remains poorly understood. Here we test the hypothesis that environment-dependent phenotypic plasticity is mediated by epigenetic factors. To test this hypothesis, we exploit the adaptive reproductive arrest of Drosophila melanogaster females, called diapause. Using an inbred line from a natural population with high diapause plasticity, we demonstrate that diapause is determined epigenetically: only a subset of genetically identical individuals enter diapause and this diapause plasticity is epigenetically transmitted for at least three generations. Upon screening a suite of epigenetic marks, we discovered that the active histone marks H3K4me3 and H3K36me1 are depleted in diapausing ovaries. Using ovary-specific knockdown of histone mark writers and erasers, we demonstrate that H3K4me3 and H3K36me1 depletion promotes diapause. Given that diapause is highly polygenic, that is, distinct suites of alleles mediate diapause plasticity across distinct genotypes, we also investigated the potential for genetic variation in diapause-determining epigenetic marks. Specifically, we asked if these histone marks were similarly depleted in diapause of a genotypically distinct line. We found evidence of divergence in both the gene expression program and histone mark abundance. This study reveals chromatin determinants of phenotypic plasticity and suggests that these determinants may be genotype-dependent, offering new insight into how organisms may exploit and evolve epigenetic mechanisms to persist in fluctuating environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail DiVito Evans
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Regina A. Fairbanks
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Paul Schmidt
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Mia T. Levine
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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7
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Mandrioli M. From Environmental Epigenetics to the Inheritance of Acquired Traits: A Historian and Molecular Perspective on an Unnecessary Lamarckian Explanation. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1077. [PMID: 37509113 PMCID: PMC10377537 DOI: 10.3390/biom13071077] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, it has been suggested that epigenetics may enhance the adaptive possibilities of animals and plants to novel environments and/or habitats and that such epigenetic changes may be inherited from parents to offspring, favoring their adaptation. As a consequence, several Authors called for a shift in the Darwinian paradigm, asking for a neo-Lamarckian view of evolution. Regardless of what will be discovered about the mechanisms of rapid adaptation to environmental changes, the description of epigenetic inheritance as a Lamarckian process is incorrect from a historical point of view and useless at a scientific level. At the same time, even if some examples support the presence of adaptation without the involvement of changes in DNA sequences, in the current scenario no revolution is actually occurring, so we are simply working on a stimulating research program that needs to be developed but that is, at present, completely Darwinian.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Mandrioli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/D, 41125 Modena, Italy
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8
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Zhu Z, Wang Z, Wang J, Cao Q, Yang H, Zhang Y. Transcriptomic analysis of lipid metabolism in zebrafish offspring of parental long-term exposure to bisphenol A. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:51654-51664. [PMID: 36811785 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25844-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most common environmental endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) and exhibits reproductive, cardiovascular, immune, and neurodevelopmental toxic effects. The development of the offspring was examined in the present investigation to determine the cross-generational effects of long-term exposure of parental zebrafish to environmental concentrations of BPA (15 and 225 µg/L). Parents were exposed to BPA for 120 days, and their offspring were evaluated at 7 days after fertilization in BPA-free water. The offspring exhibited higher mortality, deformity, and heart rates, and showed significant fat accumulation in abdominal region. RNA-Seq data showed that more lipid metabolism-related KEGG pathways, such as the PPAR signaling pathway, adipocytokine signaling pathway, and ether lipid metabolism pathway were enriched in the 225 µg/L BPA-treated offspring compared to 15 µg/L BPA-treated offspring, indicating greater effects of high dose BPA on offspring lipid metabolism. Lipid metabolism-related genes implied that BPA is responsible for disrupting lipid metabolic processes in the offspring through increased lipid production, abnormal transport, and disruption of lipid catabolism. The present study will be helpful for further evaluation of the reproductive toxicity of environmental BPA to organisms and the subsequent parent-mediated intergenerational toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ziying Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiayu Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qingsheng Cao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China.
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9
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Tian S, Sun W, Sun X, Yue Y, Jia M, Huang S, Zhou Z, Li L, Diao J, Yan S, Zhu W. Intergenerational reproductive toxicity of parental exposure to prothioconazole and its metabolite on offspring and epigenetic regulation associated with DNA methylation in zebrafish. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 173:107830. [PMID: 36805811 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Prothioconazole (PTC) is a widely used agricultural fungicide, and its parent and metabolite prothioconazole-desthio (dPTC) have been detected in diverse environmental media. This study was aimed at investigating the gender-dependent effects on adult zebrafish reproduction and intergenerational effects on offspring development following parental exposure to PTC and dPTC. The results showed that after the adult zebrafish (F0) was exposed to 0.5 and 10 μg/L PTC and dPTC for 21 days, the fertility and gametogenesis of female zebrafish were decreased more significantly than that of male zebrafish. After that, three fecundity tests were conducted in the exposure period to explore the development endpoints of F1 embryos/larvae without further treatment with PTC and dPTC exposure. However, PTC and dPTC exposure did lead to abnormal development of F1 embryos, including delayed hatching, shortened body length, abnormal development and significant changes in locomotor behavior. These changes were related to the abnormal expression of sex hormones and the regulation of DNA methylation in F0 fish. In a word, the results of this study showed that parental PTC and dPTC interference have sex-dependent reproductive toxicity on F0 zebrafish, which may be passed on to the next generation through epigenetic modification involving DNA methylation, resulting in alternations in growth phenotype of offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinuo Tian
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Sun
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yifan Yue
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ming Jia
- Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Shiran Huang
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhou
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Li Li
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taiyuan 030031, China
| | - Jinling Diao
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Sen Yan
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Wentao Zhu
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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Gene Expression Detects the Factors Influencing the Reproductive Success and the Survival Rates of Paracentrotus lividus Offspring. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232112790. [DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The increase in the demand for Paracentrotus lividus roe, a food delicacy, causes increased pressure on its wild stocks. In this scenario, aquaculture facilities will mitigate the effects of anthropogenic pressures on the wild stocks of P. lividus. Consequently, experimental studies should be conducted to enhance techniques to improve efficient aquaculture practices for these animals. Here, we for the first time performed molecular investigations on cultured sea urchins. We aimed at understanding if maternal influences may significantly impact the life of future offspring, and how the culture conditions may impact the development and growth of cultured specimens. Our findings demonstrate that the outcomes of in vitro fertilization of P. lividus are influenced by maternal influences, but these effects are largely determined by culture conditions. In fact, twenty-three genes involved in the response to stress and skeletogenesis, whose expressions were measured by Real Time qPCR, were differently expressed in sea urchins cultured in two experimental conditions, and the results were largely modified in offspring deriving from two groups of females. The findings herein reported will be critical to develop protocols for the larval culture of the most common sea urchin, both for research and industrial production purposes for mass production.
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11
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Zhang Y, Li T, Pan C, Khan IA, Chen Z, Yue Y, Yang M. Intergenerational toxic effects of parental exposure to bisphenol AF on offspring and epigenetic modulations in zebrafish. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 823:153714. [PMID: 35143790 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol AF (BPAF), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, has been detected in various environmental media because of its wide industrial applications. Meanwhile, substances that are known to be toxic to the reproductive system have been observed to interfere with the development of the offspring following parental exposure. This study was aimed at determining the gender-dependent intergenerational effects of BPAF on offspring development following either paternal or maternal exposure of adult zebrafish to an environmental concentration of BPAF. Four-month-old zebrafish (F0) were exposed to 10 μg/L of BPAF for 28 days, the developmental endpoints of F1 embryos were then tested without further treatment with BPAF. The results show that paternal BPAF exposure decreased the hatching rate, increased mortality, and shortened the body lengths of F1 larval offspring. In addition, it changed DNA and m6A RNA methylation gene expression levels in F0 testes and F1 larvae. Although maternal exposure increased mortality and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities in F1 larvae, only DNA methylation gene expression was altered in F0 ovaries and F1 larvae. In addition, a short term BPAF exposure of zebrafish embryos from 4 h post-fertilization (hpf) until 120 hpf similarly impaired the early development of the larvae but only at a level relatively higher than 10 μg/L; and DNA and RNA methylation gene expression was regulated to some extent in BPAF exposure groups. Overall, our results indicate the gender-specific effects of BPAF on offspring development and epigenetic modulations, suggesting a relatively high susceptibility within the exposure window during gametogenesis and early embryonic developmental stages to environmental chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Zhang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Tianjie Li
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Chenyuan Pan
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Imran Ahamed Khan
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Department of Cardiology, the Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201306, China.
| | - Yihong Yue
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Ming Yang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
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12
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Vautier AN, Cadaret CN. Long-Term Consequences of Adaptive Fetal Programming in Ruminant Livestock. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.778440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental perturbations during gestation can alter fetal development and postnatal animal performance. In humans, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) resulting from adaptive fetal programming is known as a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality and predisposes offspring to metabolic disease, however, the prevalence and impact in livestock is not characterized as well. Multiple animal models have been developed as a proxy to determine mechanistic changes that underlie the postnatal phenotype resulting from these programming events in humans but have not been utilized as robustly in livestock. While the overall consequences are similar between models, the severity of the conditions appear to be dependent on type, timing, and duration of insult, indicating that some environmental insults are of more relevance to livestock production than others. Thus far, maternofetal stress during gestation has been shown to cause increased death loss, low birth weight, inefficient growth, and aberrant metabolism. A breadth of this data comes from the fetal ruminant collected near term or shortly thereafter, with fewer studies following these animals past weaning. Consequently, even less is known about how adaptive fetal programming impacts subsequent progeny. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the postnatal phenotype of livestock resulting from different models of fetal programming, with a focus on growth, metabolism, and reproductive efficiency. We further describe what is currently known about generational impacts of fetal programming in production systems, along with gaps and future directions to consider.
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13
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The existence of a nonclassical TCA cycle in the nucleus that wires the metabolic-epigenetic circuitry. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:375. [PMID: 34728602 PMCID: PMC8563883 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00774-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The scope and variety of the metabolic intermediates from the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle that are engaged in epigenetic regulation of the chromatin function in the nucleus raise an outstanding question about how timely and precise supply/consumption of these metabolites is achieved in the nucleus. We report here the identification of a nonclassical TCA cycle in the nucleus (nTCA cycle). We found that all the TCA cycle-associated enzymes including citrate synthase (CS), aconitase 2 (ACO2), isocitrate dehydrogenase 3 (IDH3), oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH), succinyl-CoA synthetase (SCS), fumarate hydratase (FH), and malate dehydrogenase 2 (MDH2), except for succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), a component of electron transport chain for generating ATP, exist in the nucleus. We showed that these nuclear enzymes catalyze an incomplete TCA cycle similar to that found in cyanobacteria. We propose that the nTCA cycle is implemented mainly to generate/consume metabolic intermediates, not for energy production. We demonstrated that the nTCA cycle is intrinsically linked to chromatin dynamics and transcription regulation. Together, our study uncovers the existence of a nonclassical TCA cycle in the nucleus that links the metabolic pathway to epigenetic regulation.
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14
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Šrut M. Ecotoxicological epigenetics in invertebrates: Emerging tool for the evaluation of present and past pollution burden. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 282:131026. [PMID: 34111635 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The effect of environmental pollution on epigenetic changes and their heredity in affected organisms is of major concern as such changes can play a significant role in adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Changes of epigenetic marks including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA's can induce changes in gene transcription leading to physiological long-term changes or even transgenerational inheritance. Such mechanisms have until recently been scarcely studied in invertebrate organisms, mainly focusing on model species including Caenorhabditis elegans and Daphnia magna. However, more data are becoming available, particularly focused on DNA methylation changes caused by anthropogenic pollutants in a wide range of invertebrates. This review examines the literature from field and laboratory studies utilising invertebrate species exposed to environmental pollutants and their effect on DNA methylation. Possible mechanisms of epigenetic modifications and their role on physiology and adaptation as well as the incidence of intergenerational and transgenerational inheritance are discussed. Furthermore, critical research challenges are defined and the way forward is proposed. Future studies should focus on the use of next generation sequencing tools to define invertebrate methylomes under environmental stress in higher resolution, those data should further be linked to gene expression patterns and phenotypes and detailed studies focusing on transgenerational effects are encouraged. Moreover, studies of other epigenetic mechanisms in various invertebrate species, apart from DNA methylation would provide better understanding of interconnected cross-talk between epigenetic marks. Taken together incorporating epigenetic studies in ecotoxicology context presents a promising tool for development of sensitive biomarkers for environmental stress assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Šrut
- University of Innsbruck, Institute of Zoology, Technikerstraße 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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15
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Weller JI, Ezra E, Gershoni M. Broad phenotypic impact of the effects of transgenerational heat stress in dairy cattle: a study of four consecutive generations. Genet Sel Evol 2021; 53:69. [PMID: 34488634 PMCID: PMC8422763 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-021-00666-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Global warming has increased the frequency of heat stress in livestock. Although heat stress directly leads to negative effects on production and reproduction traits in dairy cattle, the transgenerational transition of these changes is poorly understood. We hypothesized that heat stress in pregnant cows might induce epigenetic modifications in the developing embryo germ cells, which, in turn, might lead to phenotypic effects in the offspring. Here, we examined whether transgenerational effects of heat stress contribute to the phenotypic expression of economic traits in Israel dairy cattle. Since heat stress in Israel occurs specifically between June and October, first we examined the association of the month of birth of F1 cows (pregnancy of the F0 dam) with the performance of the F2 and F3 female offspring. Then, we calculated an annual heat stress index and examined the association of the heat stress index during the pregnancy of the F0 dam with the performance of her F2 and F3 offspring. Finally, we examined intergenerational interactions of heat stress by comparing the performance of F3 cows according to the pregnancy seasons of the F0 and F1 animals. Results We found a significant association of the month of birth, season of pregnancy, and heat stress index of F0 females, with the performance of their F2 and F3 progenies, which suggests a true transgenerational effect. The most significant transgenerational effects were on fat yield and concentration, dystocia, still-birth, and maturation. Conclusions These findings suggest that heat stress during pregnancy affects the performance of offspring, regardless of life circumstances in at least the last three generations. Therefore, heat stress can reduce selection efficiency in breeding programs and may have economic significance in livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Ira Weller
- Israeli Cattle Breeders Association, 3088900, Caesarea, Israel.,The Volcani Center, Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, 7505101, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Ephraim Ezra
- Israeli Cattle Breeders Association, 3088900, Caesarea, Israel
| | - Moran Gershoni
- The Volcani Center, Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, 7505101, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
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16
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Merrill SM, Moore SR, Gladish N, Giesbrecht GF, Dewey D, Konwar C, MacIssac JL, Kobor MS, Letourneau NL. Paternal adverse childhood experiences: Associations with infant DNA methylation. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:e22174. [PMID: 34333774 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), or cumulative childhood stress exposures, such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, predict later health problems in both the exposed individuals and their offspring. One potential explanation suggests exposure to early adversity predicts epigenetic modification, especially DNA methylation (DNAm), linked to later health. Stress experienced preconception by mothers may associate with DNAm in the next generation. We hypothesized that fathers' exposure to ACEs also associates with their offspring DNAm, which, to our knowledge, has not been previously explored. An epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of blood DNAm (n = 45) from 3-month-old infants was regressed onto fathers' retrospective ACEs at multiple Cytosine-phosphate-Guanosine (CpG) sites to discover associations. This accounted for infants' sex, age, ethnicity, cell type proportion, and genetic variability. Higher ACE scores associated with methylation values at eight CpGs. Post-hoc analysis found no contribution of paternal education, income, marital status, and parental postpartum depression, but did with paternal smoking and BMI along with infant sleep latency. These same CpGs also contributed to the association between paternal ACEs and offspring attention problems at 3 years. Collectively, these findings suggested there were biological associations with paternal early life adversity and offspring DNAm in infancy, potentially affecting offspring later childhood outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Merrill
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute Vancouver, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah R Moore
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute Vancouver, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nicole Gladish
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute Vancouver, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Gerald F Giesbrecht
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Owerko Centre at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Deborah Dewey
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Owerko Centre at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Chaini Konwar
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute Vancouver, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Julia L MacIssac
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute Vancouver, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael S Kobor
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute Vancouver, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Program in Child and Brain Development, CIFAR, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicole L Letourneau
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Owerko Centre at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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17
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Bonilla M, McPherson M, Coreas J, Boulos M, Chavol P, Alrabadi RI, Loza-Coll M. Repeated ethanol intoxications of Drosophila melanogaster adults increases the resistance to ethanol of their progeny. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:1370-1382. [PMID: 34120365 PMCID: PMC8295206 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14647] [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] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For decades, Drosophila melanogaster has been used as a model organism to understand the genetics and neurobiology of ethanol intoxication and tolerance. Previous research has shown that acute and chronic pre-exposures to ethanol can trigger the development of functional ethanol tolerance in flies and has unveiled some of the genetic pathways involved in the process. To our knowledge, however, no previous work has systematically explored whether repeated intoxications of adult flies can affect the ethanol tolerance of their progeny. METHODS Adult flies were intoxicated several times (once daily, over several days), and their F1 and F2 progeny were subjected to a functional tolerance test in which flies are exposed to ethanol and video recorded twice within 5 hr. Their behavior was subsequently analyzed to determine how long it took them to become sedated during the first and second exposures. One- and 2-way ANOVAs were used to determine whether parental treatment had an effect on their progeny's baseline resistance and/or acquired functional tolerance to ethanol. RESULTS Parental flies that were intoxicated several times produced F1 and F2 progeny with a significantly higher resistance to ethanol than progeny from unexposed controls. Further, parental intoxications inconsistently increased the progeny's capacity to develop rapid functional tolerance upon re-exposure to ethanol. The transmission of increased ethanol resistance to progeny lasted several days after the last parental intoxication. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that repeated parental daily intoxications affect the progeny's response to ethanol in fruit flies. Our findings support the use of D. melanogaster to explore conserved pathways underlying the transmission of ethanol tolerance and can help in the identificaton of novel strategies for managing alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Bonilla
- Department of Biology - California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
| | - Michael McPherson
- Department of Biology - California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
| | - Jocelyn Coreas
- Department of Biology - California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
| | - Michael Boulos
- Department of Biology - California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
| | - Paniz Chavol
- Department of Biology - California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
| | - Ranna I. Alrabadi
- Department of Biology - California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
| | - Mariano Loza-Coll
- Department of Biology - California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
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18
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Houri-Zeevi L, Teichman G, Gingold H, Rechavi O. Stress resets ancestral heritable small RNA responses. eLife 2021; 10:65797. [PMID: 33729152 PMCID: PMC8021399 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenerational inheritance of small RNAs challenges basic concepts of heredity. In Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes, small RNAs are transmitted across generations to establish a transgenerational memory trace of ancestral environments and distinguish self-genes from non-self-elements. Carryover of aberrant heritable small RNA responses was shown to be maladaptive and to lead to sterility. Here, we show that various types of stress (starvation, high temperatures, and high osmolarity) induce resetting of ancestral small RNA responses and a genome-wide reduction in heritable small RNA levels. We found that mutants that are defective in various stress pathways exhibit irregular RNAi inheritance dynamics even in the absence of stress. Moreover, we discovered that resetting of ancestral RNAi responses is specifically orchestrated by factors that function in the p38 MAPK pathway and the transcription factor SKN-1/Nrf2. Stress-dependent termination of small RNA inheritance could protect from run-on of environment-irrelevant heritable gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Houri-Zeevi
- Department of Neurobiology, Wise Faculty of Life Sciences & Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Guy Teichman
- Department of Neurobiology, Wise Faculty of Life Sciences & Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hila Gingold
- Department of Neurobiology, Wise Faculty of Life Sciences & Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Oded Rechavi
- Department of Neurobiology, Wise Faculty of Life Sciences & Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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19
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Masullo T, Biondo G, Natale MD, Tagliavia M, Bennici CD, Musco M, Ragusa MA, Costa S, Cuttitta A, Nicosia A. Gene Expression Changes after Parental Exposure to Metals in the Sea Urchin Affect Timing of Genetic Programme of Embryo Development. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10020103. [PMID: 33535713 PMCID: PMC7912929 DOI: 10.3390/biology10020103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that phenotypic traits can be modulated at the epigenetic level so that some conditions can affect the progeny of exposed individuals. To assess if the exposure of adult animals could result in effects on the offspring, the Mediterranean sea urchin and its well-characterized gene regulatory networks (GRNs) was chosen as a model. Adult animals were exposed to known concentrations of zinc and cadmium (both individually and in combination) for 10 days, and the resulting embryos were followed during the development. The oxidative stress occurring in parental gonads, embryo phenotypes and mortality, and the expression level of a set of selected genes, including members of the skeletogenic and endodermal GRNs, were evaluated. Increased oxidative stress at F0, high rates of developmental aberration with impaired gastrulation, in association to deregulation of genes involved in skeletogenesis (dri, hex, sm50, p16, p19, msp130), endodermal specification (foxa, hox11/13b, wnt8) and epigenetic regulation (kat2A, hdac1, ehmt2, phf8 and UBE2a) occurred either at 24 or 48 hpf. Results strongly indicate that exposure to environmental pollutants can affect not only directly challenged animals but also their progeny (at least F1), influencing optimal timing of genetic programme of embryo development, resulting in an overall impairment of developmental success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Masullo
- Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean-National Research Council (ISMED-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 65, 90145 Palermo, Italy; (T.M.); (M.D.N.); (C.D.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Girolama Biondo
- Institute for Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment-National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare 3, 91021 Campobello di Mazara, Italy;
| | - Marilena Di Natale
- Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean-National Research Council (ISMED-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 65, 90145 Palermo, Italy; (T.M.); (M.D.N.); (C.D.B.); (M.M.)
- Department of Earth and Marine Science (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 20, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Marcello Tagliavia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation-National Research Council-(IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Carmelo Daniele Bennici
- Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean-National Research Council (ISMED-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 65, 90145 Palermo, Italy; (T.M.); (M.D.N.); (C.D.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Marianna Musco
- Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean-National Research Council (ISMED-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 65, 90145 Palermo, Italy; (T.M.); (M.D.N.); (C.D.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Maria Antonietta Ragusa
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (M.A.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Salvatore Costa
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (M.A.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Angela Cuttitta
- Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean-National Research Council (ISMED-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 65, 90145 Palermo, Italy; (T.M.); (M.D.N.); (C.D.B.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (A.N.)
| | - Aldo Nicosia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation-National Research Council-(IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (A.N.)
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20
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Adrian-Kalchhauser I, Sultan SE, Shama LNS, Spence-Jones H, Tiso S, Keller Valsecchi CI, Weissing FJ. Understanding 'Non-genetic' Inheritance: Insights from Molecular-Evolutionary Crosstalk. Trends Ecol Evol 2020; 35:1078-1089. [PMID: 33036806 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the evolutionary and ecological roles of 'non-genetic' inheritance (NGI) is daunting due to the complexity and diversity of epigenetic mechanisms. We draw on insights from molecular and evolutionary biology perspectives to identify three general features of 'non-genetic' inheritance systems: (i) they are functionally interdependent with, rather than separate from, DNA sequence; (ii) precise mechanisms vary phylogenetically and operationally; and (iii) epigenetic elements are probabilistic, interactive regulatory factors and not deterministic 'epialleles' with defined genomic locations and effects. We discuss each of these features and offer recommendations for future empirical and theoretical research that implements a unifying inherited gene regulation (IGR) approach to studies of 'non-genetic' inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Adrian-Kalchhauser
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Department for Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Sonia E Sultan
- Biology Department, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - Lisa N S Shama
- Coastal Ecology Section, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Wadden Sea Station Sylt, Hafenstrasse 43, 25992 List, Germany
| | - Helen Spence-Jones
- Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Stefano Tiso
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Franz J Weissing
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
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21
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Sommer RJ. Phenotypic Plasticity: From Theory and Genetics to Current and Future Challenges. Genetics 2020; 215:1-13. [PMID: 32371438 PMCID: PMC7198268 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.120.303163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity is defined as the property of organisms to produce distinct phenotypes in response to environmental variation. While for more than a century, biologists have proposed this organismal feature to play an important role in evolution and the origin of novelty, the idea has remained contentious. Plasticity is found in all domains of life, but only recently has there been an increase in empirical studies. This contribution is intended as a fresh view and will discuss current and future challenges of plasticity research, and the need to identify associated molecular mechanisms. After a brief summary of conceptual, theoretical, and historical aspects, some of which were responsible for confusion and contention, I will formulate three major research directions and predictions for the role of plasticity as a facilitator of novelty. These predictions result in a four-step model that, when properly filled with molecular mechanisms, will reveal plasticity as a major factor of evolution. Such mechanistic insight must be complemented with comparative investigations to show that plasticity has indeed created novelty and innovation. Together, such studies will help develop a true developmental evolutionary biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf J Sommer
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Department for Integrative Evolutionary Biology, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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22
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Auboeuf D. Physicochemical Foundations of Life that Direct Evolution: Chance and Natural Selection are not Evolutionary Driving Forces. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10020007. [PMID: 31973071 PMCID: PMC7175370 DOI: 10.3390/life10020007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The current framework of evolutionary theory postulates that evolution relies on random mutations generating a diversity of phenotypes on which natural selection acts. This framework was established using a top-down approach as it originated from Darwinism, which is based on observations made of complex multicellular organisms and, then, modified to fit a DNA-centric view. In this article, it is argued that based on a bottom-up approach starting from the physicochemical properties of nucleic and amino acid polymers, we should reject the facts that (i) natural selection plays a dominant role in evolution and (ii) the probability of mutations is independent of the generated phenotype. It is shown that the adaptation of a phenotype to an environment does not correspond to organism fitness, but rather corresponds to maintaining the genome stability and integrity. In a stable environment, the phenotype maintains the stability of its originating genome and both (genome and phenotype) are reproduced identically. In an unstable environment (i.e., corresponding to variations in physicochemical parameters above a physiological range), the phenotype no longer maintains the stability of its originating genome, but instead influences its variations. Indeed, environment- and cellular-dependent physicochemical parameters define the probability of mutations in terms of frequency, nature, and location in a genome. Evolution is non-deterministic because it relies on probabilistic physicochemical rules, and evolution is driven by a bidirectional interplay between genome and phenotype in which the phenotype ensures the stability of its originating genome in a cellular and environmental physicochemical parameter-depending manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didier Auboeuf
- Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, Univ Claude Bernard, CNRS UMR 5239, INSERM U1210, 46 Allée d'Italie, Site Jacques Monod, F-69007, Lyon, France
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23
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Dion E, Pui LX, Weber K, Monteiro A. Early-exposure to new sex pheromone blends alters mate preference in female butterflies and in their offspring. Nat Commun 2020; 11:53. [PMID: 31896746 PMCID: PMC6940390 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13801-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
While the diversity of sex pheromone communication systems across insects is well documented, the mechanisms that lead to such diversity are not well understood. Sex pheromones constitute a species-specific system of sexual communication that reinforces interspecific reproductive isolation. When odor blends evolve, the efficacy of male-female communication becomes compromised, unless preference for novel blends also evolves. We explore odor learning as a possible mechanism leading to changes in sex pheromone preferences in the butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Our experiments reveal mating patterns suggesting that mating bias for new blends can develop following a short learning experience, and that this maternal experience impacts the mating outcome of offspring without further exposure. We propose that odor learning can be a key factor in the evolution of sex pheromone blend recognition and in chemosensory speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Dion
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
| | - Li Xian Pui
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Katie Weber
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Antónia Monteiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
- Yale-NUS-College, 6 College Avenue East, Singapore, 138614, Singapore.
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24
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Sperm RNA: Quo vadis? Semin Cell Dev Biol 2020; 97:123-130. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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25
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Wylde Z, Spagopoulou F, Hooper AK, Maklakov AA, Bonduriansky R. Parental breeding age effects on descendants' longevity interact over 2 generations in matrilines and patrilines. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000556. [PMID: 31765371 PMCID: PMC6901263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals within populations vary enormously in mortality risk and longevity, but the causes of this variation remain poorly understood. A potentially important and phylogenetically widespread source of such variation is maternal age at breeding, which typically has negative effects on offspring longevity. Here, we show that paternal age can affect offspring longevity as strongly as maternal age does and that breeding age effects can interact over 2 generations in both matrilines and patrilines. We manipulated maternal and paternal ages at breeding over 2 generations in the neriid fly Telostylinus angusticollis. To determine whether breeding age effects can be modulated by the environment, we also manipulated larval diet and male competitive environment in the first generation. We found separate and interactive effects of parental and grand-parental ages at breeding on descendants' mortality rate and life span in both matrilines and patrilines. These breeding age effects were not modulated by grand-parental larval diet quality or competitive environment. Our findings suggest that variation in maternal and paternal ages at breeding could contribute substantially to intrapopulation variation in mortality and longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachariah Wylde
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Foteini Spagopoulou
- Uppsala Centre for Evolution and Genomics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Amy K. Hooper
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alexei A. Maklakov
- Uppsala Centre for Evolution and Genomics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Russell Bonduriansky
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Duempelmann L, Mohn F, Shimada Y, Oberti D, Andriollo A, Lochs S, Bühler M. Inheritance of a Phenotypically Neutral Epimutation Evokes Gene Silencing in Later Generations. Mol Cell 2019; 74:534-541.e4. [PMID: 30898439 PMCID: PMC6509282 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Small RNAs trigger the formation of epialleles that are silenced across generations. Consequently, RNA-directed epimutagenesis is associated with persistent gene repression. Here, we demonstrate that small interfering RNA-induced epimutations in fission yeast are still inherited even when the silenced gene is reactivated, and descendants can reinstate the silencing phenotype that only occurred in their ancestors. This process is mediated by the deposition of a phenotypically neutral molecular mark composed of tri-methylated histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9me3). Its stable propagation is coupled to RNAi and requires maximal binding affinity of the Clr4/Suvar39 chromodomain to H3K9me3. In wild-type cells, this mark has no visible impact on transcription but causes gene silencing if RNA polymerase-associated factor 1 complex (Paf1C) activity is impaired. In sum, our results reveal a distinct form of epigenetic memory in which cells acquire heritable, transcriptionally active epialleles that confer gene silencing upon modulation of Paf1C. S. pombe remembers and reinstates silencing that occurred in a previous generation Paf1 modulation enables acquisition of a new trait that is plastic and inheritable H3K9me3 functions as an epigenetic mark that is not repressive per se Paf1C facilitates transcription elongation through H3K9-methylated nucleosomes
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Duempelmann
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 10, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabio Mohn
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yukiko Shimada
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniele Oberti
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Aude Andriollo
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Silke Lochs
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Centre Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marc Bühler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 10, 4003 Basel, Switzerland.
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27
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Perez MF, Lehner B. Intergenerational and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in animals. Nat Cell Biol 2019; 21:143-151. [PMID: 30602724 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-018-0242-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 287] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Animals transmit not only DNA but also other molecules, such as RNA, proteins and metabolites, to their progeny via gametes. It is currently unclear to what extent these molecules convey information between generations and whether this information changes according to their physiological state and environment. Here, we review recent work on the molecular mechanisms by which 'epigenetic' information is transmitted between generations over different timescales, and the importance of this information for development and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Francisco Perez
- Systems Biology Program, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ben Lehner
- Systems Biology Program, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain. .,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain. .,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
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28
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Epigenetics and Epigenomics. Mol Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-813288-3.00022-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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29
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Offenburger SL, Perez MF, Lehner B. Memory of ancestral mitochondrial stress. Nat Cell Biol 2018; 21:303-304. [PMID: 30559457 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-018-0255-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah-Lena Offenburger
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marcos Francisco Perez
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ben Lehner
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain. .,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain. .,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
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Tabuchi TM, Rechtsteiner A, Jeffers TE, Egelhofer TA, Murphy CT, Strome S. Caenorhabditis elegans sperm carry a histone-based epigenetic memory of both spermatogenesis and oogenesis. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4310. [PMID: 30333496 PMCID: PMC6193031 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06236-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Paternal contributions to epigenetic inheritance are not well understood. Paternal contributions via marked nucleosomes are particularly understudied, in part because sperm in some organisms replace the majority of nucleosome packaging with protamine packaging. Here we report that in Caenorhabditis elegans sperm, the genome is packaged in nucleosomes and carries a histone-based epigenetic memory of genes expressed during spermatogenesis, which unexpectedly include genes well known for their expression during oogenesis. In sperm, genes with spermatogenesis-restricted expression are uniquely marked with both active and repressive marks, which may reflect a sperm-specific chromatin signature. We further demonstrate that epigenetic information provided by sperm is important and in fact sufficient to guide proper germ cell development in offspring. This study establishes one mode of paternal epigenetic inheritance and offers a potential mechanism for how the life experiences of fathers may impact the development and health of their descendants. Paternal contributions to epigenetic inheritance via nucleosomes are poorly understood, as sperm in many organisms replace the majority of nucleosomes with protamines. Here the authors provide evidence that Caenorhabditis elegans sperm retain histone packaging of the genome and provide a histone-based epigenetic memory that is important for germ cell development in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko M Tabuchi
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Andreas Rechtsteiner
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Tess E Jeffers
- Department of Molecular Biology and LSI Genomics, Carl Icahn Lab 148, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08545, USA
| | - Thea A Egelhofer
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Coleen T Murphy
- Department of Molecular Biology and LSI Genomics, Carl Icahn Lab 148, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08545, USA
| | - Susan Strome
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA.
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31
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Sato A. Chaperones, Canalization, and Evolution of Animal Forms. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E3029. [PMID: 30287767 PMCID: PMC6213012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Over half a century ago, British developmental biologist Conrad Hal Waddington proposed the idea of canalization, that is, homeostasis in development. Since the breakthrough that was made by Rutherford and Lindquist (1998), who proposed a role of Hsp90 in developmental buffering, chaperones have gained much attention in the study of canalization. However, recent studies have revealed that a number of other molecules are also potentially involved in canalization. Here, I introduce the emerging role of DnaJ chaperones in canalization. I also discuss how the expression levels of such buffering molecules can be altered, thereby altering organismal development. Since developmental robustness is maternally inherited in various organisms, I propose that dynamic bet hedging, an increase in within-clutch variation in offspring phenotypes that is caused by unpredictable environmental challenges to the mothers, plays a key role in altering the expression levels of buffering molecules. Investigating dynamic bet hedging at the molecular level and how it impacts upon morphological phenotypes will help our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of canalization and evolutionary processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuko Sato
- Department of Biology, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-0012, Japan.
- Marine Biological Association of the UK, The Laboratory, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK.
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Danchin E, Pocheville A, Rey O, Pujol B, Blanchet S. Epigenetically facilitated mutational assimilation: epigenetics as a hub within the inclusive evolutionary synthesis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2018. [PMCID: PMC6378602 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
After decades of debate about the existence of non‐genetic inheritance, the focus is now slowly shifting towards dissecting its underlying mechanisms. Here, we propose a new mechanism that, by integrating non‐genetic and genetic inheritance, may help build the long‐sought inclusive vision of evolution. After briefly reviewing the wealth of evidence documenting the existence and ubiquity of non‐genetic inheritance in a table, we review the categories of mechanisms of parent–offspring resemblance that underlie inheritance. We then review several lines of argument for the existence of interactions between non‐genetic and genetic components of inheritance, leading to a discussion of the contrasting timescales of action of non‐genetic and genetic inheritance. This raises the question of how the fidelity of the inheritance system can match the rate of environmental variation. This question is central to understanding the role of different inheritance systems in evolution. We then review and interpret evidence indicating the existence of shifts from inheritance systems with low to higher transmission fidelity. Based on results from different research fields we propose a conceptual hypothesis linking genetic and non‐genetic inheritance systems. According to this hypothesis, over the course of generations, shifts among information systems allow gradual matching between the rate of environmental change and the inheritance fidelity of the corresponding response. A striking conclusion from our review is that documented shifts between types of inherited non‐genetic information converge towards epigenetics (i.e. inclusively heritable molecular variation in gene expression without change in DNA sequence). We then interpret the well‐documented mutagenicity of epigenetic marks as potentially generating a final shift from epigenetic to genetic encoding. This sequence of shifts suggests the existence of a relay in inheritance systems from relatively labile ones to gradually more persistent modes of inheritance, a relay that could constitute a new mechanistic basis for the long‐proposed, but still poorly documented, hypothesis of genetic assimilation. A profound difference between the genocentric and the inclusive vision of heredity revealed by the genetic assimilation relay proposed here lies in the fact that a given form of inheritance can affect the rate of change of other inheritance systems. To explore the consequences of such inter‐connection among inheritance systems, we briefly review published theoretical models to build a model of genetic assimilation focusing on the shift in the engraving of environmentally induced phenotypic variation into the DNA sequence. According to this hypothesis, when environmental change remains stable over a sufficient number of generations, the relay among inheritance systems has the potential to generate a form of genetic assimilation. In this hypothesis, epigenetics appears as a hub by which non‐genetically inherited environmentally induced variation in traits can become genetically encoded over generations, in a form of epigenetically facilitated mutational assimilation. Finally, we illustrate some of the major implications of our hypothetical framework, concerning mutation randomness, the central dogma of molecular biology, concepts of inheritance and the curing of inherited disorders, as well as for the emergence of the inclusive evolutionary synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Danchin
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174); Université de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, UPS. 118 route de Narbonne, Bat 4R1; 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9 France
| | - Arnaud Pocheville
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174); Université de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, UPS. 118 route de Narbonne, Bat 4R1; 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9 France
- Department of Philosophy and Charles Perkins Centre; University of Sydney; Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
| | - Olivier Rey
- CNRS, Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (SETE), UMR5321; 09200 Moulis France
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier; F-66860 Perpignan France
| | - Benoit Pujol
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174); Université de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, UPS. 118 route de Narbonne, Bat 4R1; 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9 France
| | - Simon Blanchet
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174); Université de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, UPS. 118 route de Narbonne, Bat 4R1; 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9 France
- CNRS, Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (SETE), UMR5321; 09200 Moulis France
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33
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Barros-Silva D, Marques CJ, Henrique R, Jerónimo C. Profiling DNA Methylation Based on Next-Generation Sequencing Approaches: New Insights and Clinical Applications. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9090429. [PMID: 30142958 PMCID: PMC6162482 DOI: 10.3390/genes9090429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression and, consequently, influences a wide variety of biological processes and diseases. The advances in next-generation sequencing technologies allow for genome-wide profiling of methyl marks both at a single-nucleotide and at a single-cell resolution. These profiling approaches vary in many aspects, such as DNA input, resolution, coverage, and bioinformatics analysis. Thus, the selection of the most feasible method according with the project’s purpose requires in-depth knowledge of those techniques. Currently, high-throughput sequencing techniques are intensively used in epigenomics profiling, which ultimately aims to find novel biomarkers for detection, diagnosis prognosis, and prediction of response to therapy, as well as to discover new targets for personalized treatments. Here, we present, in brief, a portrayal of next-generation sequencing methodologies’ evolution for profiling DNA methylation, highlighting its potential for translational medicine and presenting significant findings in several diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Barros-Silva
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua António Bernardino Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
| | - C Joana Marques
- Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
- I3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua António Bernardino Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS)-University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua António Bernardino Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS)-University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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34
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Moggs J, Terranova R. Chromatin dynamics underlying latent responses to xenobiotics. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2018; 7:606-617. [PMID: 30090610 PMCID: PMC6062062 DOI: 10.1039/c7tx00317j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pleiotropic xenobiotics can trigger dynamic alterations in mammalian chromatin structure and function but many of these are likely non-adverse and simply reflect short-term changes in DNA transactions underlying normal homeostatic, adaptive and protective cellular responses. However, it is plausible that a subset of xenobiotic-induced perturbations of somatic tissue or germline epigenomes result in delayed-onset and long-lasting adverse effects, in particular if they occur during critical stages of growth and development. These could include reprogramming, dedifferentiation, uncontrolled growth, and cumulative toxicity effects through molecular memory of prior xenobiotic exposures or altered susceptibility to subsequent xenobiotic exposures. Here we discuss the current evidence for epigenetic mechanisms underlying latent responses to xenobiotics, and the potential for identifying molecular epigenetic changes that are prodromal to overt morphologic or functional toxicity phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Moggs
- Preclinical Safety , Translational Medicine , Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Rémi Terranova
- Preclinical Safety , Translational Medicine , Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research , Basel , Switzerland
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35
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Noto T, Mochizuki K. Small RNA-Mediated trans-Nuclear and trans-Element Communications in Tetrahymena DNA Elimination. Curr Biol 2018; 28:1938-1949.e5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.04.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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36
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Demoinet E, Roy R. Surviving Starvation: AMPK Protects Germ Cell Integrity by Targeting Multiple Epigenetic Effectors. Bioessays 2018; 40. [PMID: 29430674 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201700095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Acute starvation can have long-term consequences that are mediated through epigenetic change. Some of these changes are affected by the activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a master regulator of cellular energy homeostasis. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the absence of AMPK during a period of starvation in an early larval stage results in developmental defects following their recovery on food, while many of them become sterile. Moreover, the loss of AMPK during this quiescent period results in transgenerational phenotypes that can become progressively worse with each successive generation. Our recent data describe a chromatin-based mechanism of how AMPK mediates adjustment to acute starvation in the germ cells, however, the heritable aspect of this AMPK mutant phenotype remains unresolved. Here, we explore how AMPK might affect this process and speculate how the initial transcription that occurs in the germ cells may adversely affect subsequent germline gene expression and/or genomic integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Demoinet
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 1B1.,Institute of Biology Valrose (iBV), CNRS, INSERM, Université Nice Sophia Antipolis, 06100, Nice, France
| | - Richard Roy
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 1B1
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37
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Charlesworth D, Barton NH, Charlesworth B. The sources of adaptive variation. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 284:rspb.2016.2864. [PMID: 28566483 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of natural selection in the evolution of adaptive phenotypes has undergone constant probing by evolutionary biologists, employing both theoretical and empirical approaches. As Darwin noted, natural selection can act together with other processes, including random changes in the frequencies of phenotypic differences that are not under strong selection, and changes in the environment, which may reflect evolutionary changes in the organisms themselves. As understanding of genetics developed after 1900, the new genetic discoveries were incorporated into evolutionary biology. The resulting general principles were summarized by Julian Huxley in his 1942 book Evolution: the modern synthesis Here, we examine how recent advances in genetics, developmental biology and molecular biology, including epigenetics, relate to today's understanding of the evolution of adaptations. We illustrate how careful genetic studies have repeatedly shown that apparently puzzling results in a wide diversity of organisms involve processes that are consistent with neo-Darwinism. They do not support important roles in adaptation for processes such as directed mutation or the inheritance of acquired characters, and therefore no radical revision of our understanding of the mechanism of adaptive evolution is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Charlesworth
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Nicholas H Barton
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | - Brian Charlesworth
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK
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38
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The "evolutionary field" hypothesis. Non-Mendelian transgenerational inheritance mediates diversification and evolution. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 134:27-37. [PMID: 29223657 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetics is increasingly regarded as a potential contributing factor to evolution. Building on apparently unrelated results, here I propose that RNA-containing nanovesicles, predominantly small regulatory RNAs, are released from somatic tissues in the bloodstream, cross the Weismann barrier, reach the epididymis, and are eventually taken up by spermatozoa; henceforth the information is delivered to oocytes at fertilization. In the model, a LINE-1-encoded reverse transcriptase activity, present in spermatozoa and early embryos, plays a key role in amplifying and propagating these RNAs as extrachromosomal structures. It may be conceived that, over generations, the cumulative effects of sperm-delivered RNAs would cross a critical threshold and overcome the buffering capacity of embryos. As a whole, the process can promote the generation of an information-containing platform that drives the reshaping of the embryonic epigenetic landscape with the potential to generate ontogenic changes and redirect the evolutionary trajectory. Over time, evolutionary significant, stably acquired variations could be generated through the process. The interplay between these elements defines the concept of "evolutionary field", a self-consistent, comprehensive information-containing platform and a source of discontinuous evolutionary novelty.
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39
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Spadafora C. Sperm-Mediated Transgenerational Inheritance. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2401. [PMID: 29255455 PMCID: PMC5722983 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa of virtually all species can spontaneously take up exogenous DNA or RNA molecules and internalize them into nuclei. In this article I review evidence for a key role of a reverse transcriptase (RT) activity, encoded by LINE-1 retrotransposons, in the fate of the internalized nucleic acid molecules and their implication in transgenerational inheritance. LINE-1-derived RT, present in sperm heads, can reverse-transcribe the internalized molecules in cDNA copies: exogenous RNA is reverse-transcribed in a one-step reaction, whereas DNA is first transcribed into RNA and subsequently reverse-transcribed. Both RNA and cDNA molecules can be delivered from sperm cells to oocytes at fertilization, further propagated throughout embryogenesis and inherited in a non-Mendelian fashion in tissues of adult animals. The reverse-transcribed sequences are extrachromosomal, low-abundance, and mosaic distributed in tissues of adult individuals, where they are variably expressed. These “retrogenes” are transcriptionally competent and induce novel phenotypic traits in animals. Growing evidence indicate that cancer tissues produce DNA- and RNA-containing exosomes. We recently found that these exosomes are released in the bloodstream and eventually taken up into epididymal spermatozoa, consistent with the emerging view that a transgenerational flow of extrachromosomal RNA connects soma to germline and, further, to next generation embryos. Spermatozoa play a crucial bridging role in this process: they act as collectors of somatic information and as delivering vectors to the next generation. On the whole, this phenomenon is compatible with a Lamarckian-type view and closely resembles Darwinian pangenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrado Spadafora
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy, Rome, Italy
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40
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Cavalieri V, Spinelli G. Environmental epigenetics in zebrafish. Epigenetics Chromatin 2017; 10:46. [PMID: 28982377 PMCID: PMC5629768 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-017-0154-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is widely accepted that the epigenome can act as the link between environmental cues, both external and internal, to the organism and phenotype by converting the environmental stimuli to phenotypic responses through changes in gene transcription outcomes. Environmental stress endured by individual organisms can also enforce epigenetic variations in offspring that had never experienced it directly, which is termed transgenerational inheritance. To date, research in the environmental epigenetics discipline has used a wide range of both model and non-model organisms to elucidate the various epigenetic mechanisms underlying the adaptive response to environmental stimuli. In this review, we discuss the advantages of the zebrafish model for studying how environmental toxicant exposures affect the regulation of epigenetic processes, especially DNA methylation, which is the best-studied epigenetic mechanism. We include several very recent studies describing the state-of-the-art knowledge on this topic in zebrafish, together with key concepts in the function of DNA methylation during vertebrate embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Cavalieri
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Edificio 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy. .,Zebrafish Laboratory, Advanced Technologies Network (ATeN) Center, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Edificio 18, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Spinelli
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Edificio 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
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41
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Quintana JF, Babayan SA, Buck AH. Small RNAs and extracellular vesicles in filarial nematodes: From nematode development to diagnostics. Parasite Immunol 2017; 39. [PMID: 27748953 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic nematodes have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to communicate with their hosts in order to survive and successfully establish an infection. The transfer of RNA within extracellular vesicles (EVs) has recently been described as a mechanism that could contribute to this communication in filarial nematodes. It has been shown that these EVs are loaded with several types of RNAs, including microRNAs, leading to the hypothesis that parasites could actively use these molecules to manipulate host gene expression and to the exciting prospect that these pathways could result in new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Here, we review the literature on the diverse RNAi pathways that operate in nematodes and more specifically our current knowledge of extracellular RNA (exRNA) and EVs derived from filarial nematodes in vitro and within their hosts. We further detail some of the issues and questions related to the capacity of RNA-mediated communication to function in parasite-host interactions and the ability of exRNA to enable us to distinguish and detect different nematode parasites in their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F Quintana
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research and Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - S A Babayan
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - A H Buck
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research and Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Klosin A, Reis K, Hidalgo-Carcedo C, Casas E, Vavouri T, Lehner B. Impaired DNA replication derepresses chromatin and generates a transgenerationally inherited epigenetic memory. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2017; 3:e1701143. [PMID: 28835928 PMCID: PMC5559210 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1701143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Impaired DNA replication is a hallmark of cancer and a cause of genomic instability. We report that, in addition to causing genetic change, impaired DNA replication during embryonic development can have major epigenetic consequences for a genome. In a genome-wide screen, we identified impaired DNA replication as a cause of increased expression from a repressed transgene in Caenorhabditis elegans. The acquired expression state behaved as an "epiallele," being inherited for multiple generations before fully resetting. Derepression was not restricted to the transgene but was caused by a global reduction in heterochromatin-associated histone modifications due to the impaired retention of modified histones on DNA during replication in the early embryo. Impaired DNA replication during development can therefore globally derepress chromatin, creating new intergenerationally inherited epigenetic expression states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Klosin
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory–Centre for Genomic Regulation (EMBL-CRG) Systems Biology Unit, CRG, the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kadri Reis
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory–Centre for Genomic Regulation (EMBL-CRG) Systems Biology Unit, CRG, the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Hidalgo-Carcedo
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory–Centre for Genomic Regulation (EMBL-CRG) Systems Biology Unit, CRG, the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Casas
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer–Institute Germans Trias i Pujol, Can Ruti Campus, Ctra de Can Ruti, Camí de les Escoles s/n, Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tanya Vavouri
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer–Institute Germans Trias i Pujol, Can Ruti Campus, Ctra de Can Ruti, Camí de les Escoles s/n, Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Can Ruti Campus, Ctra de Can Ruti, Camí de les Escoles s/n, Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ben Lehner
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory–Centre for Genomic Regulation (EMBL-CRG) Systems Biology Unit, CRG, the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
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Serobyan V, Sommer RJ. Developmental systems of plasticity and trans-generational epigenetic inheritance in nematodes. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2017; 45:51-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Klosin A, Casas E, Hidalgo-Carcedo C, Vavouri T, Lehner B. Transgenerational transmission of environmental information inC. elegans. Science 2017; 356:320-323. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aah6412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Nutrients in Energy and One-Carbon Metabolism: Learning from Metformin Users. Nutrients 2017; 9:nu9020121. [PMID: 28208582 PMCID: PMC5331552 DOI: 10.3390/nu9020121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Revised: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic vulnerability is associated with age-related diseases and concomitant co-morbidities, which include obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis and cancer. Most of the health problems we face today come from excessive intake of nutrients and drugs mimicking dietary effects and dietary restriction are the most successful manipulations targeting age-related pathways. Phenotypic heterogeneity and individual response to metabolic stressors are closely related food intake. Understanding the complexity of the relationship between dietary provision and metabolic consequences in the long term might provide clinical strategies to improve healthspan. New aspects of metformin activity provide a link to many of the overlapping factors, especially the way in which organismal bioenergetics remodel one-carbon metabolism. Metformin not only inhibits mitochondrial complex 1, modulating the metabolic response to nutrient intake, but also alters one-carbon metabolic pathways. Here, we discuss findings on the mechanism(s) of action of metformin with the potential for therapeutic interpretations.
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Sharma A. Transgenerational epigenetics: Integrating soma to germline communication with gametic inheritance. Mech Ageing Dev 2017; 163:15-22. [PMID: 28093237 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2016.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Evidence supporting germline mediated epigenetic inheritance of environmentally induced traits has increasingly emerged over the past several years. Although the mechanisms underlying this inheritance remain unclear, recent findings suggest that parental gamete-borne epigenetic factors, particularly RNAs, affect post-fertilization and developmental gene regulation, ultimately leading to phenotypic appearance in the offspring. Complex processes involving gene expression and epigenetic regulation are considered to perpetuate across generations. In addition to transfer of germline factors, epigenetic inheritance via gametes also requires a mechanism whereby the information pertaining to the induced traits is communicated from soma to germline. Despite violating a century-old view in biology, this communication seems to play a role in transmission of environmental effects across generations. Circulating RNAs, especially those associated with extracellular vesicles like exosomes, are emerging as promising candidates that can transmit gene regulatory information in this direction. Cumulatively, these new observations provide a basis to integrate epigenetic inheritance. With significant implications in health, disease and ageing, the latter appears poised to revolutionize biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhay Sharma
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Sukhdev Vihar, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India.
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Hernández-Aguilera A, Fernández-Arroyo S, Cuyàs E, Luciano-Mateo F, Cabre N, Camps J, Lopez-Miranda J, Menendez JA, Joven J. Epigenetics and nutrition-related epidemics of metabolic diseases: Current perspectives and challenges. Food Chem Toxicol 2016; 96:191-204. [PMID: 27503834 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We live in a world fascinated by the relationship between disease and nutritional disequilibrium. The subtle and slow effects of chronic nutrient toxicity are a major public health concern. Since food is potentially important for the development of "metabolic memory", there is a need for more information on the type of nutrients causing adverse or toxic effects. We now know that metabolic alterations produced by excessive intake of some nutrients, drugs and chemicals directly impact epigenetic regulation. We envision that understanding how metabolic pathways are coordinated by environmental and genetic factors will provide novel insights for the treatment of metabolic diseases. New methods will enable the assembly and analysis of large sets of complex molecular and clinical data for understanding how inflammation and mitochondria affect bioenergetics, epigenetics and health. Collectively, the observations we highlight indicate that energy utilization and disease are intimately connected by epigenetics. The challenge is to incorporate metabolo-epigenetic data in better interpretations of disease, to expedite therapeutic targeting of key pathways linking nutritional toxicity and metabolism. An additional concern is that changes in the parental phenotype are detectable in the methylome of subsequent offspring. The effect might create a menace to future generations and preconceptional considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hernández-Aguilera
- Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Salvador Fernández-Arroyo
- Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Elisabet Cuyàs
- Molecular Oncology Group, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), Girona, Spain; ProCURE (Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance), Metabolism and Cancer Group, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Girona, Spain
| | - Fedra Luciano-Mateo
- Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Noemi Cabre
- Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Jordi Camps
- Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Jose Lopez-Miranda
- Lipid and Atherosclerosis Unit, IMIBIC, Reina Sofia University Hospital, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatologia Obesidad y Nutricion (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier A Menendez
- Molecular Oncology Group, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), Girona, Spain; ProCURE (Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance), Metabolism and Cancer Group, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Girona, Spain.
| | - Jorge Joven
- Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain; The Campus of International Excellence Southern Catalonia, Tarragona, Spain.
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