Environmental Challenge, Epigenetic Plasticity and the Induction of Altered Phenotypes in Mammals

Abstract

The level of transcriptional activity of a gene is regulated by epigenetic processes. There is compelling evidence that environmental challenges throughout the life course can induce phenotypic change. In this review, we summarize the current evidence, focusing specifically on the effects of nutrition and of environmental pollutants, that epigenetic processes underpin the induction by environmental change of altered phenotypic traits, emphasizing the implications for health outcomes. We also discuss whether epigenetic processes may be involved in the passage of induced traits between generations. Overall, current findings indicate that epigenetic processes may play an important role in determining disease risk, but there is a lack of studies that demonstrate causal links between epigenetic change and tissue function.

Keywords::

• diet
• DNA methylation
• epigenetics
• histones
• pollution
• transgeneration

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The preparation of this article was supported financially in part by an award from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, UK (13271/01). The funder did not contribute in any way to the design or content of this article. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The preparation of this article was supported financially in part by an award from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, UK (13271/01). The funder did not contribute in any way to the design or content of this article. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.