DNA methylation signatures of early-life adversity are exposure-dependent in wild baboons.

ABSTRACT: The early-life environment can profoundly shape the trajectory of an animal's life, even years or decades later. One mechanism proposed to contribute to these early-life effects is DNA methylation. However, the frequency and functional importance of DNA methylation in shaping early-life effects on adult outcomes is poorly understood, especially in natural populations. Here, we integrate prospectively collected data on fitness-associated variation in the early environment with DNA methylation estimates at 477,270 CpG sites in 256 wild baboons. We find highly heterogeneous relationships between the early-life environment and DNA methylation in adulthood: aspects of the environment linked to resource limitation (e.g., low-quality habitat, early-life drought) are associated with many more CpG

SUBMITTER: Anderson JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10945818 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature