Small ocean temperature increases elicit stage-dependent changes in DNA methylation and gene expression in a fish, the European sea bass.

ABSTRACT: In natural fish populations, temperature increases can result in shifts in important phenotypic traits. DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism mediating phenotypic changes. However, whether temperature increases of the magnitude predicted by the latest global warming models can affect DNA methylation is unknown. Here, we exposed European sea bass to moderate temperature increases in different periods within the first two months of age. We show that increases of even 2 °C in larvae significantly changed global DNA methylation and the expression of ecologically-relevant genes related to DNA methylation, stress response, muscle and organ formation, while 4 °C had no effect on juveniles. Furthermore, DNA methylation changes were more marked in larvae previously acclimated to a different te

SUBMITTER: Anastasiadi D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5622125 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature