2007 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE (PNAS) PAPER SUMMARY
Press Contacts •
PNAS ‐ Ms. Bridget Scallen, pnasnews@nas.org ,
202‐334‐1310
University of Texas ‐ Austin ‐ Mr. Lee Clippard,
lclippard@mail.utexas.edu and Nancy Neff, neff@mail.utexas.edu
Washington State University ‐ Ms. Cherie Winner,
cwinner@wsu.edu, 509‐335‐4846 and James Tinney
jltinney@wsu.edu
Paper
David Crews, Andrea C. Gore, Timothy S. Hsu, Nygerma L. Dangleben, Michael Spinetta, Timothy Schallert, Matthew D. Anway, & Michael K. Skinner (2007) Transgenerational Epigenetic Imprints on Mate Preference. PNAS (In Press).
Author Contacts
David Crews
Professor
Section of Integrative Biology
University of Texas Austin
Austin, TX 78712
Phone: 512‐471‐1113
Email: crews@mail.utexas.edu
(Expert in Evolutionary Biology and Sexual Selection)
Andrea C. Gore
Associate Professor
Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology
University of Texas Austin
Austin, TX 78712
Phone: 512‐471‐3669
Email: andrea.gore@mail.utexas.edu
(Expert in Endocrine Disruptors and Neuroendocrinology)
Michael K. Skinner, Ph.D.
Professor and Director
Center for Reproductive Biology
School of Molecular Biosciences
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164‐4234
Phone: 509‐335‐1524
Email: skinner@wsu.edu
(Expert in Epigenetic Transgenerational Phenomena and
Reproduction)
Abstract –
Environmental contamination by endocrine‐disrupting
chemicals (EDC) can have epigenetic effects (via DNA methylation)
on the germ line and promote disease across subsequent generations.
In natural populations both sexes may encounter affected as well as
unaffected individuals during the breeding season and any
diminution in attractiveness could compromise reproductive success.
Here we examine mate preference in male and female rats whose
progenitors had been treated with the anti‐androgenic
fungicide vinclozolin. This effect is sex‐specific and we
demonstrate that females three generations
removed from the exposure discriminate and prefer males who do not
have a history of exposure, while similarly epigenetically
imprinted males do not exhibit such a preference. The observations
suggest that the consequences of EDCs are not just
transgenerational but can be ≥transpopulational≤, because in
many mammalian species males are the dispersing sex. This indicates
that epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of EDC action
represent an unappreciated force in sexual selection. Our
observations provide direct experimental evidence for a role of
epigenetics as a determinant factor in evolution.
Observation-
The current study investigated animals prior to them developing
disease to examine potential effects on mate selection. Sexual
selection is a significant determinant in evolutionary biology. If
all the progeny of an exposed individual are effected,
environmental factors that influence behavior parameters such as
mate selection could have a significant impact on evolution. The F3
control and EDC generations were examined with a series of mate
selection behavior analyses. Interestingly, the control and EDC
generation females preferred control generation males, while
control and EDC F3 generation males had no
preference. Therefore, an epigenetic transgenerational phenotype
induced by an endocrine disruptor promoted an alteration in mate
preference. This is one of the first experiments to document the
ability of an environmental factor (i.e. endocrine disruptor) to
promote an epigenetic change that influences a major determinant
(i.e. sexual selection) in evolutionary biology.
A pregnant female was exposed to an environmental compound (i.e.
endocrine disruptor) for a short period at a critical period of sex
determination for the embryo. The male progeny later in life
developed breast tumors, prostate disease, kidney disease, testis
defects and immune abnormalities. This phenotype/disease state was
passed to all subsequent generations examined. Only the original F0
generation mother was exposed to the environmental toxicant. Nearly
all males of all generations had a disease state and passed it on
to their progeny. Females developed disease, but could not pass
the
phenotype to the next generation. No known DNA sequence mutation
mechanism can cause this type of transgenerational (i.e. heritable)
disease phenotype. An epigenetic mechanism was identified in that
the male germ‐line (i.e. sperm) developed abnormal DNA
methylation of specific genes and DNA sequences. The environmental
toxicant permanently reprogrammed the sperm and induced new
imprinted‐like genes that passed the disease state on to all
subsequent generations. Observations indicate that epigenetic
mechanisms can permanently alter the germ‐line and traits of
progeny of an exposed
individual and all subsequent generations.
Impact
Evolutionary Biology
Darwinian evolution is based on the appearance of genetic mutations
(i.e. DNA sequence alterations) that promote a natural selection
process and competitive biological advantage. This adaptation
evolution process is the basis for our understanding of biology and
the relationship of ecosystems. The concept that an environmental
factor (i.e. toxicant) could induce an epigenetic effect that
could promote a permanent reprogramming of the germ‐line
(i.e. sperm), impacts our concept of evolutionary biology. This
suggests environmental impacts and epigenetics may be a critical
variable in evolution. The current
observations suggest new variables and factors in evolution that
need to be considered and may explain some unexplained rapid
evolutionary events previously observed.
Toxicology
Indicates that a class of environmental compounds known as
endocrine disruptors can induce a permanent transgenerational
effect on an individual. The exposure your pregnant grandmother had
could induce a disease state in you and you will pass this on to
your grandchildren. Therefore, the potential hazard of
environmental toxicants is dramatically increased, in
particular for pregnant women in mid‐gestation.
Molecular Basis of Epigenetic Heritable Traits and
Disease
Previously we have realized that fetal and embryonic development
events can impact disease states in the adult. A number of
environmental toxicants have been shown after an embryonic exposure
to cause an adult disease. The concept that these induced disease
states could be transgenerational and permanently inherited has not
been appreciated. Observations indicate that an epigenetic
transgenerational mechanism could be involved in some heritable
diseases. Many diseases have
increased in frequency of occurrence but faster than can be
explained from normal genetic (i.e. DNA sequence mutation)
mechanisms. This epigenetic transgenerational phenomenon could
explain the rapid onset of these diseases and would suggest an
environmental factor in the process. This information provides new
mechanistic insights into the molecular basis of disease and new
therapeutic strategies to potentially treat the disease states. In
addition, other areas of biology such as evolutionary biology are
impacted with such an epigentic transgenerational mechanism.
Summary-
The transient exposure of a pregnant female at the time of embryonic sex determination to an environmental toxicant (endocrine disruptor) can induce an epigenetic transgenerational phenotype in subsequent generations. This has a significant impact on our understanding of how environmental factors can influence the genome and alter the potential evolution of the species. Sexual selection (i.e. mate preference) was found to be influenced which provides one of the first direct experiments to support a role for epigenetics in evolutionary biology.
Bullet Points
- Environmental factors (e.g. endocrine disruptors) can reprogram the germ‐line (i.e. sperm) to influence heritable traits of all subsequent progeny.
- The epigenetic transgenerational phenotype suggests environment may influence biology through epigenetic alterations in genome activity.
- The current study suggests epigenetic transgenerational actions of environmental factors (endocrine disruptor) can influence a major determinant (i.e. sexual selection) in evolutionary biology.
- Supports an important role for epigenetics in evolutionary biology and provides an additional molecular mechanism to help understand evolutionary phenomenon.
Epigenetics-
Epigenetics does not involve DNA sequence changes, but factors around the genome that regulate genomic activity. An example is the chemical modification of the DNA (DNA Methylation). This can alte gene expression and determine if genes are turned on or off. A subset of genes called imprinted genes can transfer their epigenetic pattern, methylation of DNA, to the next generation and affect activity of DNA. Endocrine disruptors have been shown to modify a set of new imprinted‐like genes. The frequency of an epigenetic effect is high compared to that of genetic sequence mutations.