Environmental Impact on DNA Methylation in the Germline: State of the Art and Gaps of Knowledge
Joint Authors
Pacchierotti, Francesca
Spanò, Marcello
Source
Issue
Vol. 2015, Issue 2015 (31 Dec. 2015), pp.1-23, 23 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2015-08-03
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
23
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
The epigenome consists of chemical changes in DNA and chromatin that without modifying the DNA sequence modulate gene expression and cellular phenotype.
The epigenome is highly plastic and reacts to changing external conditions with modifications that can be inherited to daughter cells and across generations.
Whereas this innate plasticity allows for adaptation to a changing environment, it also implies the potential of epigenetic derailment leading to so-called epimutations.
DNA methylation is the most studied epigenetic mark.
DNA methylation changes have been associated with cancer, infertility, cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, immunologic, and neurodegenerative pathologies.
Experiments in rodents demonstrate that exposure to a variety of chemical stressors, occurring during the prenatal or the adult life, may induce DNA methylation changes in germ cells, which may be transmitted across generations with phenotypic consequences.
An increasing number of human biomonitoring studies show environmentally related DNA methylation changes mainly in blood leukocytes, whereas very few data have been so far collected on possible epigenetic changes induced in the germline, even by the analysis of easily accessible sperm.
In this paper, we review the state of the art on factors impinging on DNA methylation in the germline, highlight gaps of knowledge, and propose priorities for future studies.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Pacchierotti, Francesca& Spanò, Marcello. 2015. Environmental Impact on DNA Methylation in the Germline: State of the Art and Gaps of Knowledge. BioMed Research International،Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-23.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1054259
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Pacchierotti, Francesca& Spanò, Marcello. Environmental Impact on DNA Methylation in the Germline: State of the Art and Gaps of Knowledge. BioMed Research International No. 2015 (2015), pp.1-23.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1054259
American Medical Association (AMA)
Pacchierotti, Francesca& Spanò, Marcello. Environmental Impact on DNA Methylation in the Germline: State of the Art and Gaps of Knowledge. BioMed Research International. 2015. Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-23.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1054259
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1054259