An epigenetic memory at the CYP1A gene in cancer-resistant, pollution-adapted killifish.

ABSTRACT: Human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) is a significant public health problem that will worsen with a warming climate and increased large-scale wildfires. Here, we characterize an epigenetic memory at the cytochrome P450 1 A (CYP1A) gene in wild Fundulus heteroclitus that have adapted to chronic, extreme PAH pollution. In wild-type fish, CYP1A is highly induced by PAH. In PAH-tolerant fish, CYP1A induction is blunted. Since CYP1A metabolically activates PAH, this memory protects these fish from PAH-mediated cancer. However, PAH-tolerant fish reared in clean water recover CYP1A inducibility, indicating a non-genetic effect. We observed epigenetic control of this reversible memory of generational PAH stress in F₁ PAH-tolerant embryos. We detected a bivalent domai

SUBMITTER: Carrothers S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11759692 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature