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Miltiadous A, Callahan DL, Dujon AM, Buchanan KL, Rollins LA. Maternally derived avian corticosterone affects offspring genome-wide DNA methylation in a passerine species. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17283. [PMID: 38288572 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17283] [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: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Avian embryos develop in an egg composition which reflects both maternal condition and the recent environment of their mother. In birds, yolk corticosterone (CORT) influences development by impacting pre- and postnatal growth, as well as nestling stress responses and development. One possible mechanism through which maternal CORT may affect offspring development is via changes to offspring DNA methylation. We sought to investigate this, for the first time in birds, by quantifying the impact of manipulations to maternal CORT on offspring DNA methylation. We non-invasively manipulated plasma CORT concentrations of egg-laying female zebra finches (Taeniopygia castanotis) with an acute dose of CORT administered around the time of ovulation and collected their eggs. We then assessed DNA methylation in the resulting embryonic tissue and in their associated vitelline membrane blood vessels, during early development (5 days after lay), using two established methods - liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and methylation-sensitive amplification fragment length polymorphism (MS-AFLP). LC-MS analysis showed that global DNA methylation was lower in embryos from CORT-treated mothers, compared to control embryos. In contrast, blood vessel DNA from eggs from CORT-treated mothers showed global methylation increases, compared to control samples. There was a higher proportion of global DNA methylation in the embryonic DNA of second clutches, compared to first clutches. Locus-specific analyses using MS-AFLP did not reveal a treatment effect. Our results indicate that an acute elevation of maternal CORT around ovulation impacts DNA methylation patterns in their offspring. This could provide a mechanistic understanding of how a mother's experience can affect her offspring's phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Miltiadous
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Damien L Callahan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Antoine M Dujon
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES), MIVEGEC, IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Katherine L Buchanan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lee A Rollins
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
- 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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2
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Swaegers J, De Cupere S, Gaens N, Lancaster LT, Carbonell JA, Sánchez Guillén RA, Stoks R. Plasticity and associated epigenetic mechanisms play a role in thermal evolution during range expansion. Evol Lett 2024; 8:76-88. [PMID: 38370551 PMCID: PMC10872138 DOI: 10.1093/evlett/qrac007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to global change, many species are shifting their distribution and are thereby confronted with novel thermal conditions at the moving range edges. Especially during the initial phases of exposure to a new environment, it has been hypothesized that plasticity and associated epigenetic mechanisms enable species to cope with environmental change. We tested this idea by capitalizing on the well-documented southward range expansion of the damselfly Ischnura elegans from France into Spain where the species invaded warmer regions in the 1950s in eastern Spain (old edge region) and in the 2010s in central Spain (new edge region). Using a common garden experiment at rearing temperatures matching the ancestral and invaded thermal regimes, we tested for evolutionary changes in (thermal plasticity in) larval life history and heat tolerance in these expansion zones. Through the use of de- and hypermethylating agents, we tested whether epigenetic mechanisms play a role in enabling heat tolerance during expansion. We used the phenotype of the native sister species in Spain, I. graellsii, as proxy for the locally adapted phenotype. New edge populations converged toward the phenotype of the native species through plastic thermal responses in life history and heat tolerance while old edge populations (partly) constitutively evolved a faster life history and higher heat tolerance than the core populations, thereby matching the native species. Only the heat tolerance of new edge populations increased significantly when exposed to the hypermethylating agent. This suggests that the DNA methylation machinery is more amenable to perturbation at the new edge and shows it is able to play a role in achieving a higher heat tolerance. Our results show that both (evolved) plasticity as well as associated epigenetic mechanisms are initially important when facing new thermal regimes but that their importance diminishes with time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janne Swaegers
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Stress Ecology and Ecotoxicology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simon De Cupere
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Stress Ecology and Ecotoxicology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Noah Gaens
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Stress Ecology and Ecotoxicology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lesley T Lancaster
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - José A Carbonell
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Robby Stoks
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Stress Ecology and Ecotoxicology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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3
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Bogan SN, Yi SV. Potential Role of DNA Methylation as a Driver of Plastic Responses to the Environment Across Cells, Organisms, and Populations. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae022. [PMID: 38324384 PMCID: PMC10899001 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae022] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
There is great interest in exploring epigenetic modifications as drivers of adaptive organismal responses to environmental change. Extending this hypothesis to populations, epigenetically driven plasticity could influence phenotypic changes across environments. The canonical model posits that epigenetic modifications alter gene regulation and subsequently impact phenotypes. We first discuss origins of epigenetic variation in nature, which may arise from genetic variation, spontaneous epimutations, epigenetic drift, or variation in epigenetic capacitors. We then review and synthesize literature addressing three facets of the aforementioned model: (i) causal effects of epigenetic modifications on phenotypic plasticity at the organismal level, (ii) divergence of epigenetic patterns in natural populations distributed across environmental gradients, and (iii) the relationship between environmentally induced epigenetic changes and gene expression at the molecular level. We focus on DNA methylation, the most extensively studied epigenetic modification. We find support for environmentally associated epigenetic structure in populations and selection on stable epigenetic variants, and that inhibition of epigenetic enzymes frequently bears causal effects on plasticity. However, there are pervasive confounding issues in the literature. Effects of chromatin-modifying enzymes on phenotype may be independent of epigenetic marks, alternatively resulting from functions and protein interactions extrinsic of epigenetics. Associations between environmentally induced changes in DNA methylation and expression are strong in plants and mammals but notably absent in invertebrates and nonmammalian vertebrates. Given these challenges, we describe emerging approaches to better investigate how epigenetic modifications affect gene regulation, phenotypic plasticity, and divergence among populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel N Bogan
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Soojin V Yi
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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Cheron M, Kato A, Ropert-Coudert Y, Meyer X, MacIntosh AJJ, Raoelison L, Brischoux F. Exposure, but not timing of exposure, to a sulfonylurea herbicide alters larval development and behaviour in an amphibian species. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 254:106355. [PMID: 36446167 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination is one of the major causes of biodiversity loss. Wetlands are particularly susceptible to contamination and species inhabiting these habitats are subjected to pollutants during sensitive phases of their development. In this study, tadpoles of a widespread amphibian, the spined toad (Bufo spinosus), were exposed to environmental concentrations of nicosulfuron (0 μg/L; 0.15 ± 0.05 μg/L and 0.83 ± 0.04 μg/L), a sulfonylurea herbicide, during different phases of development. Tadpoles were exposed during embryonic (12.98 ± 0.90 days) or larval development (93.74± 0.85 days), or throughout both phases, and we quantified development duration, morphological traits and behavioural features as responses to exposure. Developing tadpoles exposed to nicosulfuron were larger, but with smaller body, and had shorter but wider tail muscles. They were also more active and swam faster than control tadpoles and showed diverging patterns of behavioural complexity. We showed that higher concentrations had greater effects on individuals than lower concentrations, but the timing of nicosulfuron exposure did not influence the metrics studied: Exposure to nicosulfuron triggered similar effects irrespective of the developmental stages at which exposure occurred. These results further indicate that transient exposure (e.g., during embryonic development) can induce long-lasting effects throughout larval development to metamorphosis. Our study confirms that contaminants at environmental concentrations can have strong consequences on non-target organisms. Our results emphasize the need for regulation agencies and policy makers to consider sublethal concentrations of sulfonulyrea herbicides, such as nicosulfuron, as a minimum threshold in their recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Cheron
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France.
| | - Akiko Kato
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France
| | - Yan Ropert-Coudert
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France
| | - Xavier Meyer
- European Science Foundation, 1 quai Lezay-Marnesia, Strasbourg 67080, France
| | - Andrew J J MacIntosh
- Kyoto University Primate Research Institute, 41-2 Kanrin, Inuyama 484-8506, Japan
| | - Léa Raoelison
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France
| | - François Brischoux
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France
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Mounger JM, van Riemsdijk I, Boquete MT, Wagemaker CAM, Fatma S, Robertson MH, Voors SA, Oberstaller J, Gawehns F, Hanley TC, Grosse I, Verhoeven KJF, Sotka EE, Gehring CA, Hughes AR, Lewis DB, Schmid MW, Richards CL. Genetic and Epigenetic Differentiation Across Intertidal Gradients in the Foundation Plant Spartina alterniflora. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.868826] [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
Ecological genomics approaches have informed us about the structure of genetic diversity in natural populations that might underlie patterns in trait variation. However, we still know surprisingly little about the mechanisms that permit organisms to adapt to variable environmental conditions. The salt marsh foundation plant Spartina alterniflora exhibits a dramatic range in phenotype that is associated with a pronounced intertidal environmental gradient across a narrow spatial scale. Both genetic and non-genetic molecular mechanisms might underlie this phenotypic variation. To investigate both, we used epigenotyping-by-sequencing (epiGBS) to evaluate the make-up of natural populations across the intertidal environmental gradient. Based on recent findings, we expected that both DNA sequence and DNA methylation diversity would be explained by source population and habitat within populations. However, we predicted that epigenetic variation might be more strongly associated with habitat since similar epigenetic modifications could be rapidly elicited across different genetic backgrounds by similar environmental conditions. Overall, with PERMANOVA we found that population of origin explained a significant amount of the genetic (8.6%) and epigenetic (3.2%) variance. In addition, we found that a small but significant amount of genetic and epigenetic variance (<1%) was explained by habitat within populations. The interaction of population and habitat explained an additional 2.9% of the genetic variance and 1.4% of the epigenetic variance. By examining genetic and epigenetic variation within the same fragments (variation in close-cis), we found that population explained epigenetic variation in 9.2% of 8,960 tested loci, even after accounting for differences in the DNA sequence of the fragment. Habitat alone explained very little (<0.1%) of the variation in these close-cis comparisons, but the interaction of population and habitat explained 2.1% of the epigenetic variation in these loci. Using multiple matrix regression with randomization (MMRR) we found that phenotypic differences in natural populations were correlated with epigenetic and environmental differences even when accounting for genetic differences. Our results support the contention that sequence variation explains most of the variation in DNA methylation, but we have provided evidence that DNA methylation distinctly contributes to plant responses in natural populations.
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Neinavaie F, Ibrahim-Hashim A, Kramer AM, Brown JS, Richards CL. The Genomic Processes of Biological Invasions: From Invasive Species to Cancer Metastases and Back Again. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.681100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of invasion is useful across a broad range of contexts, spanning from the fine scale landscape of cancer tumors up to the broader landscape of ecosystems. Invasion biology provides extraordinary opportunities for studying the mechanistic basis of contemporary evolution at the molecular level. Although the field of invasion genetics was established in ecology and evolution more than 50 years ago, there is still a limited understanding of how genomic level processes translate into invasive phenotypes across different taxa in response to complex environmental conditions. This is largely because the study of most invasive species is limited by information about complex genome level processes. We lack good reference genomes for most species. Rigorous studies to examine genomic processes are generally too costly. On the contrary, cancer studies are fortified with extensive resources for studying genome level dynamics and the interactions among genetic and non-genetic mechanisms. Extensive analysis of primary tumors and metastatic samples have revealed the importance of several genomic mechanisms including higher mutation rates, specific types of mutations, aneuploidy or whole genome doubling and non-genetic effects. Metastatic sites can be directly compared to primary tumor cell counterparts. At the same time, clonal dynamics shape the genomics and evolution of metastatic cancers. Clonal diversity varies by cancer type, and the tumors’ donor and recipient tissues. Still, the cancer research community has been unable to identify any common events that provide a universal predictor of “metastatic potential” which parallels findings in evolutionary ecology. Instead, invasion in cancer studies depends strongly on context, including order of events and clonal composition. The detailed studies of the behavior of a variety of human cancers promises to inform our understanding of genome level dynamics in the diversity of invasive species and provide novel insights for management.
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Mounger J, Ainouche ML, Bossdorf O, Cavé-Radet A, Li B, Parepa M, Salmon A, Yang J, Richards CL. Epigenetics and the success of invasive plants. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200117. [PMID: 33866809 PMCID: PMC8059582 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological invasions impose ecological and economic problems on a global scale, but also provide extraordinary opportunities for studying contemporary evolution. It is critical to understand the evolutionary processes that underly invasion success in order to successfully manage existing invaders, and to prevent future invasions. As successful invasive species sometimes are suspected to rapidly adjust to their new environments in spite of very low genetic diversity, we are obliged to re-evaluate genomic-level processes that translate into phenotypic diversity. In this paper, we review work that supports the idea that trait variation, within and among invasive populations, can be created through epigenetic or other non-genetic processes, particularly in clonal invaders where somatic changes can persist indefinitely. We consider several processes that have been implicated as adaptive in invasion success, focusing on various forms of 'genomic shock' resulting from exposure to environmental stress, hybridization and whole-genome duplication (polyploidy), and leading to various patterns of gene expression re-programming and epigenetic changes that contribute to phenotypic variation or even novelty. These mechanisms can contribute to transgressive phenotypes, including hybrid vigour and novel traits, and may thus help to understand the huge successes of some plant invaders, especially those that are genetically impoverished. This article is part of the theme issue 'How does epigenetics influence the course of evolution?'
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannie Mounger
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33617, USA
| | - Malika L. Ainouche
- UMR CNRS 6553 ECOBIO, OSUR, Université de Rennes 1, Campus Scientifique de Beaulieu, Rennes, France
| | - Oliver Bossdorf
- Plant Evolutionary Ecology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Armand Cavé-Radet
- UMR CNRS 6553 ECOBIO, OSUR, Université de Rennes 1, Campus Scientifique de Beaulieu, Rennes, France
- Plant Evolutionary Ecology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bo Li
- National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Madalin Parepa
- Plant Evolutionary Ecology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Armel Salmon
- UMR CNRS 6553 ECOBIO, OSUR, Université de Rennes 1, Campus Scientifique de Beaulieu, Rennes, France
| | - Ji Yang
- National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Christina L. Richards
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33617, USA
- Plant Evolutionary Ecology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Sarma RR, Crossland MR, Eyck HJF, DeVore JL, Edwards RJ, Cocomazzo M, Zhou J, Brown GP, Shine R, Rollins LA. Intergenerational effects of manipulating DNA methylation in the early life of an iconic invader. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200125. [PMID: 33866803 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to novel environments, invasive populations often evolve rapidly. Standing genetic variation is an important predictor of evolutionary response but epigenetic variation may also play a role. Here, we use an iconic invader, the cane toad (Rhinella marina), to investigate how manipulating epigenetic status affects phenotypic traits. We collected wild toads from across Australia, bred them, and experimentally manipulated DNA methylation of the subsequent two generations (G1, G2) through exposure to the DNA methylation inhibitor zebularine and/or conspecific tadpole alarm cues. Direct exposure to alarm cues (an indicator of predation risk) increased the potency of G2 tadpole chemical cues, but this was accompanied by reductions in survival. Exposure to alarm cues during G1 also increased the potency of G2 tadpole cues, indicating intergenerational plasticity in this inducible defence. In addition, the negative effects of alarm cues on tadpole viability (i.e. the costs of producing the inducible defence) were minimized in the second generation. Exposure to zebularine during G1 induced similar intergenerational effects, suggesting a role for alteration in DNA methylation. Accordingly, we identified intergenerational shifts in DNA methylation at some loci in response to alarm cue exposure. Substantial demethylation occurred within the sodium channel epithelial 1 subunit gamma gene (SCNN1G) in alarm cue exposed individuals and their offspring. This gene is a key to the regulation of sodium in epithelial cells and may help to maintain the protective epidermal barrier. These data suggest that early life experiences of tadpoles induce intergenerational effects through epigenetic mechanisms, which enhance larval fitness. This article is part of the theme issue 'How does epigenetics influence the course of evolution?'
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshmi R Sarma
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Michael R Crossland
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Harrison J F Eyck
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Jayna L DeVore
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Richard J Edwards
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Michael Cocomazzo
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
| | - Jia Zhou
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia.,School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, PMB 1 Glen Osmond, 5064, Australia
| | - Gregory P Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
| | - Richard Shine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
| | - Lee A Rollins
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia.,Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
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Stevenson TJ, Hanson HE, Martin LB. Theory, hormones and life history stages: an introduction to the symposium epigenetic variation in endocrine systems. Integr Comp Biol 2020; 60:1454-1457. [PMID: 33326579 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icaa140] [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
All organisms must respond to environmental stimuli, and most metazoans do so through endocrine system regulation. Hormonal fluctuations allow organisms to maintain and return to homeostasis following perturbations, making them vital for survival and fitness. Many components of the endocrine system (e.g., proteins, steroids, receptors, genome response elements, etc.) and the physiological and behavioral processes they regulate are conserved among vertebrates (e.g., the glucocorticoid stress response). However, there are sometimes dramatic differences among and within species, particularly in how hormonal variation affects phenotypes. Some such variation is driven by internal factors such as genetics, developmental stage, sex, individual age, and body condition in addition to external factors such as the type, magnitude, and duration of environmental stimuli. Eco-evolutionary endocrinology has been quite successful in describing this variation among and within species, but we have only just begun to understand how these factors interact to affect phenotypic diversity, ecological function, and evolution. Mounting evidence suggests that various molecular epigenetic modifications of genome structure and activity, such as deoxyribonucleic acid methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, and small RNAs, mediate the interactions between environmental conditions, individual traits, and the endocrine system. As some epigenetic modifications can be induced or removed by environmental stimuli, they represent promising candidates underlying endocrine regulation and variation, particularly epigenetic marks that can be stably inherited. This symposium discussed the role of epigenetic modifications in endocrine systems, mainly in natural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J Stevenson
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Haley E Hanson
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Disease Research, College of Public Health University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Lynn B Martin
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Disease Research, College of Public Health University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
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