..., physiological, ecological and evolutionary research. Epigenetic changes (such as DNA methylation) have been suggested to be a key mechanism mediating long-lasting effects of the early-life environment across taxa. More recently, changes in the early-life gut microbiome have been identified as another potential...

... against such threats can be costly, plastic immune responses could be particularly advantageous, as such defenses can be engaged only when context warrants activation. DNA methylation is a key regulator of plasticity via its effects on gene expression. In vertebrates, DNA methylation occurs exclusively...

... has more influence on gene expression than social context or individual flexibility during a transition to parental care, whereas cytosine methylation is not associated with differential gene expression. DNA methylation Epigenetics Nicrophorus vespilloides Social behaviour Social...

... virgin queens must leave the nest and then successfully learn to navigate back over repeated nuptial flights. Honey bee queen learning has never been previously demonstrated. We therefore tested olfactory learning in queens and workers and examined the role of DNA methylation, which plays a key role...

... epigenetic marks is DNA methylation. In the present study, we used the methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) technique to investigate the natural variation in DNA methylation within and among subspecies of the house sparrow, Passer domesticus . We focused on five subspecies from the Middle East...

... between total DNA methylation level and the ploidy status and genomic composition of the individuals. We found that allelic silencing also occurs in other allopolyploid organisms besides the single one that was previously known. We found and discuss disparities within and between the two considered...

... in physiological fluids; (2) epigenetic factors including miRNA-like small RNAs, DNA methylation and histone modifications are propagated across generations via gene networks; and (3) inherited epigenetic variations in the form of methylated cytosines are fixed in the population as thymines over the evolutionary...

...Carmen J. Marsit; Hans H. Hoppeler Environmental toxicants can alter epigenetic regulatory features such as DNA methylation and microRNA expression. As the sensitivity of epigenomic regulatory features may be greatest during the in utero period, when critical windows are narrow, and when epigenomic...

.... This is corroborated in the economically important locust species Locusta migratoria and Schistocerca gregaria . Here, we review the key elements involved in phase transition in locusts and possible epigenetic regulation. We discuss the relative role of DNA methylation, histone modification and small RNA molecules...

... et al., 2012 ; Snell-Rood, 2012 ; West-Eberhard, 2003 ). Many of these changes result from mechanisms that have not been associated with the ‘traditional’ epigenetic mechanisms of DNA methylation, histone, nucleosome position, microRNAs, etc. This raises the interesting semantic question of whether...

... bat species have a low level of genomic DNA methylation and extensive epigenetic diversity that exceeds the corresponding genetic variance. DNA sequence divergence, epigenetic drift and environmental variables contribute to the epigenetic diversities of each species. Environment-induced epigenetic...

... mechanisms are responsive to adverse environments and could be involved in the development of chronic aggression. Using both gene candidate and genomic approaches, recent studies have identified epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation alterations in genes involved in the stress response and the serotonin...

... crayfish (CE), enhance memory persistence. Changes in DNA methylation underlie formation of strong memories in mammals and 5-HT-enhanced long-term facilitation in Aplysia . Here we determined the impact of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-AZA; 87 μmol l −1 ), on enhanced...

...Cassandra Falckenhayn; Bart Boerjan; Günter Raddatz; Marcus Frohme; Liliane Schoofs; Frank Lyko SUMMARY DNA methylation is a widely conserved epigenetic modification. The analysis of genome-scale DNA methylation patterns in various organisms suggests that major features of animal methylomes...

... significantly suppressed by Hcy, however, while 5-azacytidine (AZC), a potent DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor, increased the expression of EC-SOD. A quantitative real-time PCR of EC-SOD revealed that Hcy (100 μmol l –1 ) accelerates DNA methylation of EC-SOD, but selectively increases the activity of DNA...