In this insightful episode, we delve into the complex realm of epigenetics with Dr. Kaneshiro, exploring how parental epigenomes can significantly influence offspring development and health. Utilizing the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, Dr. Kaneshiro elaborates on the role of sperm-inherited histone marking in shaping offspring gene expression. Remarkably, the absence of the repressive mark H3K27me3 from the sperm genome leads to up-regulation from sperm alleles in offspring somatic and germline tissues. The research reveals that tissue context determines which genes are prone to up-regulation. Intriguingly, the findings mirror those in mammalian cells, suggesting a conserved mechanism for chromatin-based regulation. Furthermore, Dr. Kaneshiro reveals that the sperm-inherited pattern of gene marking and gene up-regulation are transmitted to grandoffspring, indicating that H3K27me3 marking can act as a bona fide transgenerational epigenetic carrier in C. elegans. Join us for this fascinating journey into the world of transgenerational epigenetics.

Key Words: Epigenetics, Offspring Development, Parental Epigenomes, Caenorhabditis Elegans, Sperm-Inherited Histone Marking, Gene Expression, H3K27me3, Somatic Tissues, Germline Tissues, Transgenerational Epigenetic Carrier, Up-regulation, Chromatin-Based Regulation.

Sperm-inherited H3K27me3 epialleles are transmitted transgenerationally in cis

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2209471119