Contribution of genetic variation to transgenerational inheritance of DNA methylation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite the important role DNA methylation plays in transcriptional regulation, the transgenerational inheritance of DNA methylation is not well understood. The genetic heritability of DNA methylation has been estimated using twin pairs, although concern has been expressed whether the underlying assumption of equal common environmental effects are applicable due to intrauterine differences between monozygotic and dizygotic twins. We estimate the heritability of DNA methylation on peripheral blood leukocytes using Illumina HumanMethylation450 array using a family based sample of 614 people from 117 families, allowing comparison both within and across generations.

Results

The correlations from the various available relative pairs indicate that on average the similar

SUBMITTER: McRae AF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4072933 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature