Epigenetics, plasticity, and evolution: How do we link epigenetic change to phenotype?

ABSTRACT Epigenetic mechanisms are proposed as an important way in which the genome responds to the environment. Epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation and Histone modifications, can be triggered by environmental effects, and lead to permanent changes in gene expression, affecting the phenotype...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution Molecular and developmental evolution, 2014-06, Vol.322 (4), p.208-220
Main Authors: Duncan, Elizabeth J., Gluckman, Peter D., Dearden, Peter K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological Evolution
DNA Methylation
Epigenesis, Genetic
Gene Expression
Histones - metabolism
Phenotype
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:ABSTRACT Epigenetic mechanisms are proposed as an important way in which the genome responds to the environment. Epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation and Histone modifications, can be triggered by environmental effects, and lead to permanent changes in gene expression, affecting the phenotype of an organism. Epigenetic mechanisms have been proposed as key in plasticity, allowing environmental exposure to shape future gene expression. While we are beginning to understand how these mechanisms have roles in human biology and disease, we have little understanding of their roles and impacts on ecology and evolution. In this review, we discuss different types of epigenetic marks, their roles in gene expression and plasticity, methods for assaying epigenetic changes, and point out the future advances we require to understand fully the impact of this field. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 322B: 208–220, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ISSN:1552-5007
1552-5015
DOI:10.1002/jez.b.22571