Transgenerational inheritance: understanding the etiology of a disease

Abstract

Observational results suggest that environment has a great impact on physiology but these phenomena cannot be explained by genetic mechanisms alone. The epigenetic studies broadens our knowledge about development and physiology. Currently, the topical issues are transgenerational effects which imply transmission through generations both genetic and phenotypic adaptive mechanisms. The accumulated data indicate that the influence of environmental factors (bad habits, stress, excessive or insufficient nutrition, microbiota and others) at early stages of development can contribute to the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of phenotypic variability. Epigenetic processes can alter gene expression, which in turn can either increase vulnerability or contribute to the development of disease tolerance in future generations. Epigenetic biomarker signatures can be considered as a future diagnostic tool for assessing person’s specific susceptibility to disease or exposure to environmental toxicants. The current review discusses the molecular genetic mechanisms of transgenerational inheritance and the influence of various risk factors.