Environmental stressors and the epigenome

Drug Discov Today Technol. 2014 Jun:12:e3-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ddtec.2012.05.004.

Abstract

Epigenetic modification and transgenerational transfer of phenotype at the individual or population level, particularly in response to environmental change, is at the forefront of biological investigation. The plasticity of this process allows an organism to respond to changes in environmental conditions, potentially conferring a survival advantage. In this review, we discuss epigenetic transgenerational phenomena in the specific context of environmental stressors including hypoxia and environmental toxicants.:

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA Methylation / drug effects*
  • DNA Methylation / genetics
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / drug effects*
  • Genomic Imprinting / drug effects
  • Genomic Imprinting / genetics
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / genetics
  • Nutritional Status / drug effects
  • Nutritional Status / genetics

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants