环境因素与表观遗传跨代继承研究进展

Epigenetic modifications are prone to change under the influence of environmental factors. During the early developmental stage, through two rounds of reprogramming processes, almost all epigenetic marks are erased. However, the existence of epigenetic information and related phenotypes can still be found in the offspring that have no direct contact with environmental factors, thus leading to the proposal of the concept of epigenetic transgenerational inheritance. In-depth exploration of epigenetic transgenerational inheritance is conducive to a comprehensive understanding of the profound impact of environmental factors on human health and provides a basis for taking effective preventive measures in the early stage of environmental exposure and for disease treatment. Therefore, this article systematically reviews the definition of epigenetic transgenerational inheritance, its relationship with environmental factors, molecular mechanisms, research methods, and other aspects.

表观遗传修饰易受环境因素的影响而发生改变。在早期发育阶段,经历两轮重编程过程,几乎所有的表观遗传标记均被清除。但在未直接接触环境因子的子代中仍能发现表观遗传信息以及相关表型的存在,由此提出表观遗传跨代继承的概念。深入探究表观遗传跨代继承,有利于全面认识环境因素对人类健康产生的深远影响,并为环境暴露早期阶段采取有效防御措施以及疾病治疗提供依据。因此,本文针对表观遗传跨代继承的定义、其与环境因素的关系、分子机制以及研究方法等方面进行系统述评。