Developmental programming and epigenetics: DNA methylation makes its mark
Developmental programming and epigenetics: DNA methylation makes its mark
Programming of adult disease risk has been widely reported as a consequence of altered nutrition during embryonic and fetal development; however the mechanisms underlying the physiological outcomes are poorly understood. Transmission of developmentally programmed phenotypes across several generations has highlighted the need to identify how the phenotype is initially established, and how it may then be passed on to future offspring, without exposure to an additional adverse developmental environment. Epigenetic modifications are emerging as a likely element involved in this programming activity. Modifications to the DNA and chromatin organisation which do not alter the DNA sequence can control gene expression patterns through changing the accessibility of specific genes to the transcriptional machinery. One such modification is DNA methylation, which is frequently associated with gene repression. Altered nutrient availability has been shown to influence the establishment of DNA methylation in the developing embryo and fetus, leading to inappropriate gene expression, and associated changes in physiological parameters. Changes in DNA methylation dynamics are also being identified as a likely mechanism for transmitting the programmed phenotype to future generations.
15-23
Lucas, Emma S.
713aa0eb-0951-4de7-8d1c-6fe1235a1c8c
Fleming, Tom P.
2abf761a-e5a1-4fa7-a2c8-12e32d5d4c03
2009
Lucas, Emma S.
713aa0eb-0951-4de7-8d1c-6fe1235a1c8c
Fleming, Tom P.
2abf761a-e5a1-4fa7-a2c8-12e32d5d4c03
Lucas, Emma S. and Fleming, Tom P.
(2009)
Developmental programming and epigenetics: DNA methylation makes its mark.
Cell &Tissue Biology Research, 1 (1), .
Abstract
Programming of adult disease risk has been widely reported as a consequence of altered nutrition during embryonic and fetal development; however the mechanisms underlying the physiological outcomes are poorly understood. Transmission of developmentally programmed phenotypes across several generations has highlighted the need to identify how the phenotype is initially established, and how it may then be passed on to future offspring, without exposure to an additional adverse developmental environment. Epigenetic modifications are emerging as a likely element involved in this programming activity. Modifications to the DNA and chromatin organisation which do not alter the DNA sequence can control gene expression patterns through changing the accessibility of specific genes to the transcriptional machinery. One such modification is DNA methylation, which is frequently associated with gene repression. Altered nutrient availability has been shown to influence the establishment of DNA methylation in the developing embryo and fetus, leading to inappropriate gene expression, and associated changes in physiological parameters. Changes in DNA methylation dynamics are also being identified as a likely mechanism for transmitting the programmed phenotype to future generations.
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Published date: 2009
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Local EPrints ID: 142561
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/142561
ISSN: 1990-519X
PURE UUID: 1c25939c-13eb-460b-9706-bc020628d6da
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Date deposited: 01 Apr 2010 16:10
Last modified: 24 Nov 2023 18:08
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Author:
Emma S. Lucas
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