Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance
Abstract
What is it? If you thought all heritable traits are written in the DNA sequence, think again! We have come to realize that, at some alleles, the epigenetic state of the DNA can also be inherited. This is indicated by analysis of alleles where the establishment of the epigenetic state is stochastic. As epigenetic modifications influence transcriptional activity, these alleles are variably expressed in a population of individuals. It has been shown that the epigenetic state, and associated phenotype, can be inherited transgenerationally.
- Publication:
-
Current Biology
- Pub Date:
- January 2003
- DOI:
- 10.1016/S0960-9822(02)01377-5
- Bibcode:
- 2003CBio...13...R6R