Transgenerational Epigenetics (ORIGINAL PDF)

by Trygve Tollefsbol

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the inheritance of epigenetic phenomena between generations. Recent research points to the existence of biological phenomena which are controlled not through gene mutations, but rather, through reversible and heritable epigenetic processes. The mitotic cell-to-cell inheritance of epigenetic information has been established for quite some time; however, meiotic generational epigenetic transfer has only relatively recently emerged as a major factor in inheritance. Epidemiological studies have suggested that environmental factors may be heritable. In fact, environmental factors often play a role in transgenerational epigenetics which may have selective or adverse effects on the offspring. This epigenetic information can be transferred through a number of mechanisms including DNA methylation, histone modifications or RNA and the effects can persist for multiple generations. Several human diseases such as metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases appear to be affected by transgenerational epigenetic inheritance and there is evidence that it can also impact longevity. Clinical interventions in transgenerational epigenetic inheritance may be on the horizon to help prevent diseases before the offspring are born or to reduce the severity of diseases at the very earliest stages of development in utero.

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