Title: Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance in Mammals.
Abstract: Transgenerational epigenetic effects include all processes that have evolved to achieve the non-genetic determination of phenotype. There has been a long-standing interest in this area from evolutionary biologists. This form of inheritance, also known as "soft inheritance" includes both the physiological and behavioural (intellectual) transfer of information across generations. While in most cases the underlying molecular mechanisms are not understood, modifications to the chromosomes that pass to the next generation through the gametes, are sometimes involved. The latter is called "transgenerational epigenetic inheritance". There is a current trend for those outside the field of molecular biology to assume that all cases of transgenerational epigenetic effects are the result of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, in part because of a misunderstanding of the terms. Indeed, substantiated cases of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in mammals remain few. The recent evidence that some genes involved in epigenetic reprogramming can act as paternal effect genes does strengthen the argument that complete reprogramming of epigenetic state each generation is the norm (Chong et al, 2007, Nat Genet).
Publication Year: 2008
Publication Date: 2008-05-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 1
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