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The case for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in humans

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Abstract

Work in the laboratory mouse has identified a group of genes, called metastable epialleles, that are informing us about the mechanisms by which the epigenetic state is established in the embryo. At these alleles, transcriptional activity is dependent on the epigenetic state and this can vary from cell to cell in the one tissue type. The decision to be active or inactive is probabilistic and sensitive to environmental influences. Moreover, in some cases the epigenetic state at these alleles can survive across generations, termed transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Together these findings raise the spectre of Lamarckism and epigenetics is now being touted as an explanation for some intergenerational effects in human populations. In this review we will discuss the evidence so far.

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Acknowledgements

E.W. is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR), and the Australian Research Council (ARC). D.M. is supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Population Studies and Human Genetics, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, 4006, Australia

    Daniel K. Morgan & Emma Whitelaw

  2. School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4006, Australia

    Daniel K. Morgan

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  1. Daniel K. Morgan
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  2. Emma Whitelaw
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Correspondence to Emma Whitelaw.

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Morgan, D.K., Whitelaw, E. The case for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in humans. Mamm Genome 19, 394–397 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00335-008-9124-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00335-008-9124-y

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