Title Parental mutations influence wild-type offspring via transcriptional adaptation /
Authors Jiang, Zhen ; El-Brolosy, Mohamed A ; Serobyan, Vahan ; Welker, Jordan M ; Retzer, Nicholas ; Dooley, Christopher M ; Jakutis, Gabrielius ; Juan, Thomas ; Fukuda, Nana ; Maischein, Hans-Martin ; Balčiūnas, Darius ; Stainier, Didier Y R
DOI 10.1126/sciadv.abj2029
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Is Part of Science advances.. Washington : American Association for the Advancement of Science. 2022, vol. 8, iss. 47, art. no. eabj2029, p. [1-13].. eISSN 2375-2548
Keywords [eng] Parental mutations ; transcriptional adaptation ; zebrafish
Abstract [eng] Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance (TEI) is mostly discussed in the context of physiological or environmental factors. Here, we show intergenerational and transgenerational inheritance of transcriptional adaptation (TA), a process whereby mutant messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation affects gene expression, in nematodes and zebrafish. Wild-type offspring of animals heterozygous for mRNA-destabilizing alleles display increased expression of adapting genes. Notably, offspring of animals heterozygous for nontranscribing alleles do not display this response. Germline-specific mutations are sufficient to induce TA in wild-type offspring, indicating that, at least for some genes, mutations in somatic tissues are not necessary for this process. Microinjecting total RNA from germ cells of TA-displaying heterozygous zebrafish can trigger TA in wild-type embryos and in their progeny, suggesting a model whereby mutant mRNAs in the germline trigger a TA response that can be epigenetically inherited. In sum, this previously unidentified mode of TEI reveals a means by which parental mutations can modulate the offspring's transcriptome.
Published Washington : American Association for the Advancement of Science
Type Journal article
Language English
Publication date 2022
CC license CC license description