Transgenerational epigenetics : Integrating soma to germline communication with gametic inheritance

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved..

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.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2017

Erschienen:

2017

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:163

Enthalten in:

Mechanisms of ageing and development - 163(2017) vom: 26. Apr., Seite 15-22

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Sharma, Abhay [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Epigenetic inheritance
Exosomes
Extracellular vesicles
Germline
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review
Soma

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 20.02.2018

Date Revised 11.03.2022

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1016/j.mad.2016.12.015

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM268054991