biostudies-literatureGemma CMedical Research CouncilDiabetes UKWellcome TrustBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research CouncilR43https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4053860biostudies-literatureUnknown14(5)<h4>Background</h4>Inter-individual epigenetic variation, due to genetic, environmental or random influences, is observed in many eukaryotic species. In mammals, however, the molecular nature of epiallelic variation has been poorly defined, partly due to the restricted focus on DNA methylation. Here we report the first genome-scale investigation of mammalian epialleles that integrates genomic, methylomic, transcriptomic and histone state information.<h4>Results</h4>First, in a small sample set, we demonstrate that non-genetically determined inter-individual differentially methylated regions (iiDMRs) can be temporally stable over at least 2 years. Then, we show that iiDMRs are associated with changes in chromatin state as measured by inter-individual differences in histone variant H2A.Z levGenome biologyInactive or moderately active human promoters are enriched for inter-individual epialleles.PMC4053860G0801976083563BB/H012494/110/0004107Gemma CBeyan HGiovannoni GLeslie RDHurd PJRakyan VKHawa MIHolland MLDown TAEbers GCRamagopalan SVfalseInactive or moderately active human promoters are enriched for inter-individual epialleles.<h4>Background</h4>Inter-individual epigenetic variation, due to genetic, environmental or random influences, is observed in many eukaryotic species. In mammals, however, the molecular nature of epiallelic variation has been poorly defined, partly due to the restricted focus on DNA methylation. Here we report the first genome-scale investigation of mammalian epialleles that integrates genomic, methylomic, transcriptomic and histone state information.<h4>Results</h4>First, in a small sample set, we demonstrate that non-genetically determined inter-individual differentially methylated regions (iiDMRs) can be temporally stable over at least 2 years. Then, we show that iiDMRs are associated with changes in chromatin state as measured by inter-individual differences in histone variant H2A.Z lev2013-01-01T00:00:00Z2013 May2026-05-02T11:59:40.062Z2026-04-29T03:08:09.812ZS-EPMC40538602370613510.1186/gb-2013-14-5-r43