Heritable genome-wide variation of gene expression and promoter methylation between wild and domesticated chickens.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Variations in gene expression, mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, may cause broad phenotypic effects in animals. However, it has been debated to what extent expression variation and epigenetic modifications, such as patterns of DNA methylation, are transferred across generations, and therefore it is uncertain what role epigenetic variation may play in adaptation.

Results

In Red Junglefowl, ancestor of domestic chickens, gene expression and methylation profiles in thalamus/hypothalamus differed substantially from that of a domesticated egg laying breed. Expression as well as methylation differences were largely maintained in the offspring, demonstrating reliable inheritance of epigenetic variation. Some of the inherited methylation differences were tissue-specific,

SUBMITTER: Natt D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3297523 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature