Environmental Influences on Epigenetic Gene Regulation

Abstract

Substantial evidence in human epidemiologic and animal model data reveals that epigenetics plays crucial roles in normal development by governing proper gene expression of critical developmental genes. However, during this critical period of prenatal and early postnatal development, nutrition and other environmental stimuli can influence these developmental pathways to induce epigenetic changes of these critical genes. Such changes are often necessary to ensure survival of the developing organism. The opposite effect is that the altered gene expression profile may be maladaptive as the individual ages and may even set up the individual for increased lifelong risk for certain diseases. Our current task of trying to dissect how epigenetic variation arises during development is vital if we are to understand which epigenetic code predicts future disease risk. More importantly, future therapeutic interventions to ameliorate disease risk cannot be accomplished without understanding the molecular underpinnings of such epigenetic change.