1
|
Pavelka J, Poláková S, Pavelková V, Galeta P. An epigenetic change in a moth is generated by temperature and transmitted to many subsequent generations mediated by RNA. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0292179. [PMID: 38451888 PMCID: PMC10919628 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic changes in sexually reproducing animals may be transmitted usually only through a few generations. Here we discovered a case where epigenetic change lasts 40 generations. This epigenetic phenomenon occurs in the short antennae (sa) mutation of the flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella). We demonstrate that is probably determined by a small RNA (e.g., piRNA, miRNA, tsRNA) and transmitted in this way to subsequent generations through the male and female gametes. The observed epigenetic change cancels sa mutation and creates a wild phenotype (a moth that appears to have no mutation). It persists for many generations (40 recorded). This epigenetic transgenerational effect (suppression homozygous mutation for short antennae) in the flour moth is induced by changes during ontogenetic development, such as increased temperature on pupae development, food, different salts in food, or injection of RNA from the sperm of already affected individuals into the eggs. The epigenetic effect may occasionally disappear in some individuals and/or progeny of a pair in the generation chain in which the effect transfers. We consider that the survival of RNA over many generations has adaptive consequences. It is mainly a response to environmental change that is transmitted to offspring via RNA. In this study, we test an interesting epigenetic effect with an unexpected length after 40 generations and test what is its cause. Such transfer of RNA to subsequent generations may have a greater evolutionary significance than previously thought. Based on some analogies, we also discuss of the connection with the SIR2 gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Pavelka
- University of West Bohemia, Centre of Biology, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Simona Poláková
- Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Věra Pavelková
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Patrik Galeta
- Department of Anthropology, University of West Bohemia, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yilmaz Sukranli Z, Korkmaz Bayram K, Mehmetbeyoglu E, Doganyigit Z, Beyaz F, Sener EF, Taheri S, Ozkul Y, Rassoulzadegan M. Trans Species RNA Activity: Sperm RNA of the Father of an Autistic Child Programs Glial Cells and Behavioral Disorders in Mice. Biomolecules 2024; 14:201. [PMID: 38397438 PMCID: PMC10886764 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020201] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, we described the alteration of six miRNAs in the serum of autistic children, their fathers, mothers, siblings, and in the sperm of autistic mouse models. Studies in model organisms suggest that noncoding RNAs participate in transcriptional modulation pathways. Using mice, approaches to alter the amount of RNA in fertilized eggs enable in vivo intervention at an early stage of development. Noncoding RNAs are very numerous in spermatozoa. Our study addresses a fundamental question: can the transfer of RNA content from sperm to eggs result in changes in phenotypic traits, such as autism? To explore this, we used sperm RNA from a normal father but with autistic children to create mouse models for autism. Here, we induced, in a single step by microinjecting sperm RNA into fertilized mouse eggs, a transcriptional alteration with the transformation in adults of glial cells into cells affected by astrogliosis and microgliosis developing deficiency disorders of the 'autism-like' type in mice born following these manipulations. Human sperm RNA alters gene expression in mice, and validates the possibility of non-Mendelian inheritance in autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Yilmaz Sukranli
- Betul-Ziya Eren Genome and Stem Cell Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Keziban Korkmaz Bayram
- Betul-Ziya Eren Genome and Stem Cell Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara 06010, Turkey
| | - Ecmel Mehmetbeyoglu
- Betul-Ziya Eren Genome and Stem Cell Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Zuleyha Doganyigit
- Histology and Embryology Department, Medical Faculty, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat 66700, Turkey
| | - Feyzullah Beyaz
- Histology and Embryology Department, Faculty of Veterinary, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Elif Funda Sener
- Betul-Ziya Eren Genome and Stem Cell Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Serpil Taheri
- Betul-Ziya Eren Genome and Stem Cell Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Ozkul
- Betul-Ziya Eren Genome and Stem Cell Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Minoo Rassoulzadegan
- Betul-Ziya Eren Genome and Stem Cell Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
- The National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, 06000 Nice, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kretschmer M, Fischer V, Gapp K. When Dad's Stress Gets under Kid's Skin-Impacts of Stress on Germline Cargo and Embryonic Development. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1750. [PMID: 38136621 PMCID: PMC10742275 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple lines of evidence suggest that paternal psychological stress contributes to an increased prevalence of neuropsychiatric and metabolic diseases in the progeny. While altered paternal care certainly plays a role in such transmitted disease risk, molecular factors in the germline might additionally be at play in humans. This is supported by findings on changes to the molecular make up of germ cells and suggests an epigenetic component in transmission. Several rodent studies demonstrate the correlation between paternal stress induced changes in epigenetic modifications and offspring phenotypic alterations, yet some intriguing cases also start to show mechanistic links in between sperm and the early embryo. In this review, we summarise efforts to understand the mechanism of intergenerational transmission from sperm to the early embryo. In particular, we highlight how stress alters epigenetic modifications in sperm and discuss the potential for these modifications to propagate modified molecular trajectories in the early embryo to give rise to aberrant phenotypes in adult offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Kretschmer
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience, ETH Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland; (M.K.); (V.F.)
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Fischer
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience, ETH Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland; (M.K.); (V.F.)
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Gapp
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience, ETH Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland; (M.K.); (V.F.)
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Spadafora C. The epigenetic basis of evolution. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 178:57-69. [PMID: 36720315 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
An increasing body of data are revealing key roles of epigenetics in evolutionary processes. The scope of this manuscript is to assemble in a coherent frame experimental evidence supporting a role of epigenetic factors and networks, active during embryogenesis, in orchestrating variation-inducing phenomena underlying evolution, seen as a global process. This process unfolds over two crucial levels: i) a flow of RNA-based information - predominantly small regulatory RNAs released from somatic cells exposed to environmental stimuli - taken up by spermatozoa and delivered to oocytes at fertilization and ii) the highly permissive and variation-prone environments offered by zygotes and totipotent early embryos. Totipotent embryos provide a variety of biological tools favouring the emergence of evolutionarily significant phenotypic novelties driven by RNA information. Under this light, neither random genomic mutations, nor the sieving role of natural selection are required, as the sperm-delivered RNA cargo conveys specific information and acts as "phenotypic-inducer" of defined environmentally acquired traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corrado Spadafora
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Greeson KW, Crow KMS, Edenfield RC, Easley CA. Inheritance of paternal lifestyles and exposures through sperm DNA methylation. Nat Rev Urol 2023:10.1038/s41585-022-00708-9. [PMID: 36653672 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-022-00708-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Many different lifestyle factors and chemicals present in the environment are a threat to the reproductive tracts of humans. The potential for parental preconception exposure to alter gametes and for these alterations to be passed on to offspring and negatively affect embryo growth and development is of concern. The connection between maternal exposures and offspring health is a frequent focus in epidemiological studies, but paternal preconception exposures are much less frequently considered and are also very important determinants of offspring health. Several environmental and lifestyle factors in men have been found to alter sperm epigenetics, which can regulate gene expression during early embryonic development. Epigenetic information is thought to be a mechanism that evolved for organisms to pass on information about their lived experiences to offspring. DNA methylation is a well-studied epigenetic regulator that is sensitive to environmental exposures in somatic cells and sperm. The continuous production of sperm from spermatogonial stem cells throughout a man's adult life and the presence of spermatogonial stem cells outside of the blood-testis barrier makes them susceptible to environmental insults. Furthermore, altered sperm DNA methylation patterns can be maintained throughout development and ultimately result in impairments, which could predispose offspring to disease. Innovations in human stem cell-based spermatogenic models can be used to elucidate the paternal origins of health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine W Greeson
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Krista M S Crow
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - R Clayton Edenfield
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Charles A Easley
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA. .,Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Morgan CP, Meadows VE, Marx-Rattner R, Cisse YM, Bale TL. HA-tag CD63 is a novel conditional transgenic approach to track extracellular vesicle interactions with sperm and their transfer at conception. Sci Rep 2023; 13:707. [PMID: 36639735 PMCID: PMC9839718 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27898-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a unique mode of intercellular communication capable of specificity in transmitting signals and cargo to coordinate local and distant cellular functions. A key example of this is the essential role that EVs secreted by epithelial cells lining the lumen of the male reproductive tract play in post-spermatogenic sperm maturation. We recently showed in a preclinical mouse model that this fundamental process had a causal role in somatic-to-germline transmission of biological information regarding prior stress experience capable of altering the rate of fetal development. However, critical mechanistic questions remain unanswered as to the processes by which signaling occurs between EVs and sperm, and whether EVs or their cargo are delivered at conception and are detectable in the early embryo. Unfortunately, notable methodological limitations shared across EV biology, particularly in the isolation and labeling of EVs, complicate efforts to answer these important questions as well as questions on EV targeting specificity and mechanisms. In our current studies, we developed a novel approach to track EVs using a conditional transgenic construct designed to label EVs via conditional Cre-induced hemagglutinin (HA) tagging of the EV endogenous tetraspanin, CD63. In our exhaustive validation steps, this internal small molecular weight tag did not affect EV secretion or functionality, a common problem found in the previous design of EV tags using larger molecular weight proteins, including fluorescent proteins. Utilizing a stably transfected immortalized epididymal epithelial cell line, we first validated key parameters of the conditional HA-tagged protein packaged into secreted EVs. Importantly, we systematically confirmed that expression of the CD63-HA had no impact on the production, size distribution, or surface charge of secreted EVs, nor did it alter the tetraspanin or miRNA composition of these EVs. We also utilized the CD63-HA EVs to verify physical interactions with sperm. Finally, using in vitro fertilization we produced some of the first images confirming sperm delivered EV cargo at conception and still detectable in the early-stage embryo. As such, this construct serves as a methodological advance and as a valuable tool, with applications in the study of EV function across biomedical research areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P Morgan
- Department of Pharmacology and Center for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Victoria E Meadows
- Department of Pharmacology and Center for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Ruth Marx-Rattner
- Department of Pharmacology and Center for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Yasmine M Cisse
- Department of Pharmacology and Center for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Tracy L Bale
- Department of Pharmacology and Center for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, CU Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- The Anschutz Foundation Endowed Chair in Women's Integrated Mental and Physical Health Research at the Ludeman Center, Aurora, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Švorcová J. Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance of Traumatic Experience in Mammals. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:120. [PMID: 36672861 PMCID: PMC9859285 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, we have seen an increasing amount of evidence pointing to the existence of a non-genetic heredity of the effects of events such as separation from parents, threat to life, or other traumatising experiences such as famine. This heredity is often mediated by epigenetic regulations of gene expression and may be transferred even across several generations. In this review, we focus on studies which involve transgenerational epigenetic inheritance (TEI), with a short detour to intergenerational studies focused on the inheritance of trauma or stressful experiences. The reviewed studies show a plethora of universal changes which stress exposure initiates on multiple levels of organisation ranging from hormonal production and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis modulation all the way to cognition, behaviour, or propensity to certain psychiatric or metabolic disorders. This review will also provide an overview of relevant methodology and difficulties linked to implementation of epigenetic studies. A better understanding of these processes may help us elucidate the evolutionary pathways which are at work in the course of emergence of the diseases and disorders associated with exposure to trauma, either direct or in a previous generation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Švorcová
- Department of Philosophy and History of Science, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
sncRNAs in Epididymosomes: The Contribution to Embryonic Development and Offspring Health. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810851. [PMID: 36142765 PMCID: PMC9501405 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Much progress has been made in determining that paternal environmental exposures can remodel their spermatozoa small noncoding RNAs (sncRANs) and, in turn, affect the phenotypes of their offspring. Studies have shown that changes in the spermatozoa sncRNAs profile occur during passing through the epididymis. Due to the absence of transcription and translation in the epididymis, spermatozoa remodel their sncRNAs profile through communication with the epididymal microenvironment. Since epididymosomes contribute to the process of spermatozoa maturation by mediating the crosstalk between the epididymis and the passing spermatozoa, they are considered to be the leading candidate to mediate these changes. Previous studies and reviews on the role of epididymal transfer proteins in sperm maturation and function are myriad. This review focuses on the role and mechanisms of epididymosome-mediated transfer of sncRNAs cargoes onembryonic development and offspring health.
Collapse
|
9
|
Qu P, Cao W, Zhang Y, Qi J, Meng B, Liu S, Zhuang Y, Duan C, Liu E. Sperm-borne proteins improve rabbit cloning efficiency via regulating embryonic cleavage and epigenetics. Proteomics 2022; 22:e2200020. [PMID: 35779011 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202200020] [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: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) shows great application value in the generation of transgenic animals, protection of endangered species, and therapeutic cloning. However, the cloning efficiency is still very low, which greatly restricts its application. Compared to fertilized embryos, cloned embryos lack the sperm proteins, which are considered to play an important role in embryonic development. Here we compared the sperm proteome, with that of donor fibroblasts and oocytes, and identified 342 proteins unique to sperm, with 42 being highly expressed. The 384 proteins were mainly enriched in the categories of post-translational modification and cytoskeletal arrangement. Extracts of soluble sperm or fibroblast proteins were injected into cloned embryos, and the result showed that injection of sperm protein significantly inhibited abnormal embryonic cleavage, significantly decreased the level of trimethylated histone H3Lys9 (H3K9me3) and the apoptotic index, and increased the inner cell mass (ICM)-to-trophectoderm (TE) ratio. More importantly, the sperm proteins also significantly enhanced the birthrate. The results of in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that sperm-derived proteins improve embryo cloning efficiency. Our findings not only provide new insights into ways to overcome low cloning efficiency, but also add to the understanding of sperm protein function. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengxiang Qu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenbin Cao
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanru Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jia Qi
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bin Meng
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,The Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shuangqing Liu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanxin Zhuang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chenjin Duan
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Enqi Liu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kretschmer M, Gapp K. Deciphering the RNA universe in sperm in its role as a vertical information carrier. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2022; 8:dvac011. [PMID: 35633894 PMCID: PMC9134061 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvac011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The inheritance of neurophysiologic and neuropsychologic complex diseases can only partly be explained by the Mendelian concept of genetic inheritance. Previous research showed that both psychological disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder and metabolic diseases are more prevalent in the progeny of affected parents. This could suggest an epigenetic mode of transmission. Human studies give first insight into the scope of intergenerational influence of stressors but are limited in exploring the underlying mechanisms. Animal models have elucidated the mechanistic underpinnings of epigenetic transmission. In this review, we summarize progress on the mechanisms of paternal intergenerational transmission by means of sperm RNA in mouse models. We discuss relevant details for the modelling of RNA-mediated transmission, point towards currently unanswered questions and propose experimental considerations for tackling these questions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Kretschmer
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Centre Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Gapp
- *Correspondence address. Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Y36 M 12, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich 8057, Switzerland. Tel: +0041 44 633 85 89; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Simmons LW, Ng SH, Lovegrove M. Condition‐dependent seminal fluid gene expression and intergenerational paternal effects on ejaculate quality. Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leigh W. Simmons
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia Crawley WA Australia
| | - Soon Hwee Ng
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia Crawley WA Australia
| | - Maxine Lovegrove
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia Crawley WA Australia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Trigg NA, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Xavier MJ, Zhou W, Anderson AL, Stanger SJ, Katen AL, De Iuliis GN, Dun MD, Roman SD, Eamens AL, Nixon B. Acrylamide modulates the mouse epididymal proteome to drive alterations in the sperm small non-coding RNA profile and dysregulate embryo development. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109787. [PMID: 34610313 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Paternal exposure to environmental stressors elicits distinct changes to the sperm sncRNA profile, modifications that have significant post-fertilization consequences. Despite this knowledge, there remains limited mechanistic understanding of how paternal exposures modify the sperm sncRNA landscape. Here, we report the acute sensitivity of the sperm sncRNA profile to the reproductive toxicant acrylamide. Furthermore, we trace the differential accumulation of acrylamide-responsive sncRNAs to coincide with sperm transit of the proximal (caput) segment of the epididymis, wherein acrylamide exposure alters the abundance of several transcription factors implicated in the expression of acrylamide-sensitive sncRNAs. We also identify extracellular vesicles secreted from the caput epithelium in relaying altered sncRNA profiles to maturing spermatozoa and dysregulated gene expression during early embryonic development following fertilization by acrylamide-exposed spermatozoa. These data provide mechanistic links to account for how environmental insults can alter the sperm epigenome and compromise the transcriptomic profile of early embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A Trigg
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - David A Skerrett-Byrne
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Miguel J Xavier
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Wei Zhou
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Gynaecology Research Centre, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Amanda L Anderson
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Simone J Stanger
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Aimee L Katen
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Drug Development, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Geoffry N De Iuliis
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Matthew D Dun
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research Innovation and Translation, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Lambton, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Shaun D Roman
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Drug Development, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Andrew L Eamens
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gapp K, Parada GE, Gross F, Corcoba A, Kaur J, Grau E, Hemberg M, Bohacek J, Miska EA. Single paternal dexamethasone challenge programs offspring metabolism and reveals multiple candidates in RNA-mediated inheritance. iScience 2021; 24:102870. [PMID: 34386731 PMCID: PMC8346661 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Single traumatic events that elicit an exaggerated stress response can lead to the development of neuropsychiatric conditions. Rodent studies suggested germline RNA as a mediator of effects of chronic environmental exposures to the progeny. The effects of an acute paternal stress exposure on the germline and their potential consequences on offspring remain to be seen. We find that acute administration of an agonist for the stress-sensitive Glucocorticoid receptor, using the common corticosteroid dexamethasone, affects the RNA payload of mature sperm as soon as 3 hr after exposure. It further impacts early embryonic transcriptional trajectories, as determined by single-embryo sequencing, and metabolism in the offspring. We show persistent regulation of tRNA fragments in sperm and descendant 2-cell embryos, suggesting transmission from sperm to embryo. Lastly, we unravel environmentally induced alterations in sperm circRNAs and their targets in the early embryo, highlighting this class as an additional candidate in RNA-mediated inheritance of disease risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Gapp
- Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Guillermo E. Parada
- Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Fridolin Gross
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
| | | | - Jasmine Kaur
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Evelyn Grau
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
- Department of Medicine, CITIID, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Martin Hemberg
- Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Johannes Bohacek
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Eric A. Miska
- Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cullen SM, Hassan N, Smith-Raska M. Effects of non-inherited ancestral genotypes on offspring phenotypes. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:747-760. [PMID: 34159361 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab120] [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: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that environmental exposures can modify the profile of heritable factors in an individual's germ cells, ultimately affecting the inheritance of phenotypes in descendants. Similar to exposures, an ancestor's genotype can also affect the inheritance of phenotypes across generations, sometimes in offspring who do not inherit the genetic aberration. This can occur via a variety of prenatal, in utero, or postnatal mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the evidence for this process in mammals, with a focus on examples that are potentially mediated through the germline, while also considering alternate routes of inheritance. Non-inherited ancestral genotypes may influence descendant's disease risk to a much greater extent than currently appreciated, and focused evaluation of this phenomenon may reveal novel mechanisms of inheritance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean M Cullen
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 East 69th Street, Room 1252D, New York, NY 10021
| | - Nora Hassan
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 East 69th Street, Room 1252D, New York, NY 10021
| | - Matthew Smith-Raska
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 East 69th Street, Room 1252D, New York, NY 10021
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Auboeuf D. The Physics-Biology continuum challenges darwinism: Evolution is directed by the homeostasis-dependent bidirectional relation between genome and phenotype. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 167:121-139. [PMID: 34097984 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2021.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The physics-biology continuum relies on the fact that life emerged from prebiotic molecules. Here, I argue that life emerged from the coupling between nucleic acid and protein synthesis during which proteins (or proto-phenotypes) maintained the physicochemical parameter equilibria (or proto-homeostasis) in the proximity of their encoding nucleic acids (or proto-genomes). This protected the proto-genome physicochemical integrity (i.e., atomic composition) from environmental physicochemical constraints, and therefore increased the probability of reproducing the proto-genome without variation. From there, genomes evolved depending on the biological activities they generated in response to environmental fluctuations. Thus, a genome maintaining homeostasis (i.e., internal physicochemical parameter equilibria), despite and in response to environmental fluctuations, maintains its physicochemical integrity and has therefore a higher probability to be reproduced without variation. Consequently, descendants have a higher probability to share the same phenotype than their parents. Otherwise, the genome is modified during replication as a consequence of the imbalance of the internal physicochemical parameters it generates, until new mutation-deriving biological activities maintain homeostasis in offspring. In summary, evolution depends on feedforward and feedback loops between genome and phenotype, as the internal physicochemical conditions that a genome generates ─ through its derived phenotype in response to environmental fluctuations ─ in turn either guarantee its stability or direct its variation. Evolution may not be explained by the Darwinism-derived, unidirectional principle (random mutations-phenotypes-natural selection) but rather by the bidirectional relationship between genome and phenotype, in which the phenotype in interaction with the environment directs the evolution of the genome it derives from.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Didier Auboeuf
- ENS de Lyon, Univ Claude Bernard, CNRS UMR 5239, INSERM U1210, Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, 46 Allée D'Italie, Site Jacques Monod, F-69007, Lyon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Roldan ERS, Teves ME. Understanding sperm physiology: Proximate and evolutionary explanations of sperm diversity. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110980. [PMID: 32853744 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Much can be gained from the comprehensive study of a biological system. Based on what is known as Mayr's proximate-ultimate causation and the subsequent expansion to Tinbergen's four questions, biological traits can be understood by taking into account different approximations that try to explain mechanisms, development, adaptive significance or phylogeny. These, in principle, separate areas, can be integrated crossing boundaries, but bearing in mind that answers to one question would not explain a different query. Studies of sperm biology have, until now, not benefited much from this framework and potential integration. Proximate causes (particularly mechanisms) have been the subject of interest for reproductive biologists, and evolutionary explanations have been the domain of behavioural ecologists with interest in adaptive significance of traits in the context of post-copulatory sexual selection. This review will summarize opportunities for research in the different areas, focusing on sperm preparation for fertilization and suggesting possible integration within and between proximate and evolutionary studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo R S Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Maria Eugenia Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lymbery RA, Evans JP, Kennington WJ. Post-ejaculation thermal stress causes changes to the RNA profile of sperm in an external fertilizer. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20202147. [PMID: 33171088 PMCID: PMC7735278 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm cells experience considerable post-ejaculation environmental variation. However, little is known about whether this affects their molecular composition, probably owing to the assumption that sperm are transcriptionally quiescent. Nevertheless, recent evidence shows sperm have distinct RNA profiles that affect fertilization and embryo viability. Moreover, RNAs are expected to be highly sensitive to extracellular changes. One such group of RNAs are heat shock protein (hsp) transcripts, which function in stress responses and are enriched in sperm. Here, we exploit the experimental tractability of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis by exposing paired samples of ejaculated sperm to ambient (19°C) and increased (25°C) temperatures, then measure (i) sperm motility phenotypes, and (ii) messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of two target genes (hsp70 and hsp90) and several putative reference genes. We find no phenotypic changes in motility, but reduced mRNA levels for hsp90 and the putative reference gene gapdh at 25°C. This could reflect either decay of specific RNAs, or changes in translation and degradation rates of transcripts to maintain sperm function under stress. These findings represent, to our knowledge, the first evidence for changes in sperm RNA profiles owing to post-ejaculation environments, and suggest that sperm may be more vulnerable to stress from rising temperatures than currently thought.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rowan A. Lymbery
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Fucic A, Maric T, Vicic Bockor V, Jezek D. In vivo acridine orange human spermatozoa staining-A new perspective for RNA detection and spermatozoa morphology evaluation. Anat Histol Embryol 2020; 50:102-107. [PMID: 32840006 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Significant increases in male infertility and the still unresolved questions on the compatibility and interpretation of current methods in infertility diagnostics call for new protocols. Morphology, genome damage, RNA content and quantity are currently in practice as the major parameters in evaluation of sperm quality. However, results of various methods are not always in mutual concordance. In this study, in vivo acridine orange (AO) staining, which is presently in application in the estimation of genome damage in reticulocytes, was adjusted for spermatozoa staining. Ten men suffering from oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) and 10 healthy fertile men were analysed using in vivo AO staining. Microscopic analysis was performed by fluorescent and confocal fluorescent microscopy. Our results show that this method preserves spermatozoa membranes, which enables new insight into spermatozoa genome damage, RNA content in residual cytoplasm, damage of neck area with mitochondrion and tail pathology. The introduced method explains the difference between results of sperm DNA fragmentation assay and the globally used AO staining and opens new options for the development of automated systems. In conclusion, the results of our study offer (a) an innovative approach to the analysis of spermatozoa pathology, (b) enable localization and quantification of RNA in residual cytoplasm, (c) a significant contribution to research of aetiology of infertility in men, (d) open new perspectives for the automatization of sperm quality estimation and (e) improve the personalized approach in the selection of in vitro fertilization protocols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Fucic
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.,Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tihana Maric
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Medical biology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vedrana Vicic Bockor
- Division of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davor Jezek
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Subhash S, Kanduri M, Kanduri C. Sperm Originated Chromatin Imprints and LincRNAs in Organismal Development and Cancer. iScience 2020; 23:101165. [PMID: 32485645 PMCID: PMC7262563 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance of sperm-derived transcripts and chromatin imprints in organismal development is poorly investigated. Here using an integrative approach, we show that human sperm transcripts are equally important as oocyte. Sperm-specific and sperm-oocyte common transcripts carry distinct chromatin structures at their promoters correlating with corresponding transcript levels in sperm. Interestingly, sperm-specific H3K4me3 patterns at the lincRNA promoters are not maintained in the germ layers and somatic tissues. However, bivalent chromatin at the sperm-specific protein-coding gene promoters is maintained throughout the development. Sperm-specific transcripts reach their peak expression during zygotic genome activation, whereas sperm-oocyte common transcripts are present during early preimplantation development but decline at the onset of zygotic genome activation. Additionally, there is an inverse correlation between sperm-specific and sperm-oocyte lincRNAs throughout the development. Sperm-lincRNAs also show aberrant activation in tumors. Overall, our observations indicate that sperm transcripts carrying chromatin imprints may play an important role in human development and cancer. Sp-lincRNAs carry distinct chromatin structures correlating with transcript levels Sp-lincRNAs are active during ZGA in preimplantation developmental stages SpOc-lincRNAs are active in pre-ZGA and decline at the onset of ZGA Sp-lincRNAs are silent post implantation but show aberrant cancer-specific activation
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santhilal Subhash
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
| | - Meena Kanduri
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Chandrasekhar Kanduri
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Spadafora C. Transgenerational epigenetic reprogramming of early embryos: a mechanistic model. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2020; 6:dvaa009. [PMID: 32704385 PMCID: PMC7368376 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvaa009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The notion that epigenetic information can be transmitted across generations is supported by mounting waves of data, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, a model is proposed which combines different lines of experimental evidence. First, it has been shown that somatic tissues exposed to stressing stimuli release circulating RNA-containing extracellular vesicles; second, epididymal spermatozoa can take up, internalize and deliver the RNA-containing extracellular vesicles to oocytes at fertilization; third, early embryos can process RNA-based information. These elements constitute the building blocks upon which the model is built. The model proposes that a continuous stream of epigenetic information flows from parental somatic tissues to the developing embryos. The flow can cross the Weismann barrier, is mediated by circulating vesicles and epididymal spermatozoa, and has the potential to generate epigenetic traits that are then stably acquired in the offspring. In a broader perspective, it emerges that a natural 'assembly line' operates continuously, aiming at passing the parental epigenetic blueprint in growing embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corrado Spadafora
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council (CNR), 100 Via del Fosso del Cavaliere, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence address. Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council (CNR), 100 Via del Fosso del Cavaliere, 00133 Rome, Italy. Tel: +39 0649917536; Fax: +39 064457529; E-mail: ;
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Safi-Stibler S, Gabory A. Epigenetics and the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease: Parental environment signalling to the epigenome, critical time windows and sculpting the adult phenotype. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2019; 97:172-180. [PMID: 31587964 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The literature about Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) studies is considerably growing. Maternal and paternal environment, during all the development of the individual from gametogenesis to weaning and beyond, as well as the psychosocial environment in childhood and teenage, can shape the adult and the elderly person's susceptibility to her/his own environment and diseases. This non-conventional, non-genetic, inheritance is underlain by several mechanisms among which epigenetics is obviously central, due to the notion of memory of early decisional events during development even when this stimulus is gone, that is implied in Waddington's developmental concept. This review first summarizes the different mechanisms by which the environment can model the epigenome: receptor signalling, energy metabolism and signal mechanotransduction from extracellular matrix to chromatin. Then an overview of the epigenetic changes in response to maternal environment during the vulnerability time windows, gametogenesis, early development, placentation and foetal growth, and postnatal period, is described, with the specific example of overnutrition and food deprivation. The implication of epigenetics in DOHaD is obvious, however the precise causal chain from early environment to the epigenome modifications to the phenotype still needs to be deciphered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofiane Safi-Stibler
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France; Sorbonne Université, Collège Doctoral, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Anne Gabory
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
| |
Collapse
|