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PMID: 19945764 Published · ppublish English Journal Article

Paramutation: the tip of an epigenetic iceberg?

Trends in genetics : TIG ·Vol. 26 ·No. 1 ·2010-01-00 ·Pages 9-14

Suter CM, Martin DI

Abstract

Paramutation describes the transfer of an acquired epigenetic state to an unlinked homologous locus, resulting in a meiotically heritable alteration in gene expression. Early investigations of paramutation characterized a mode of change and inheritance distinct from mendelian genetics, catalyzing the concept of the epigenome. Numerous examples of paramutation and paramutation-like phenomena have now emerged, with evidence that implicates small RNAs in the transfer and maintenance of epigenetic states. In animals Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA)-mediated retrotransposon suppression seems to drive a vast system of epigenetic inheritance with paramutation-like characteristics. The classic examples of paramutation might be merely informative aberrations of pervasive and broadly conserved mechanisms that use RNA to sense homology and target epigenetic modification. When viewed in this context, paramutation is only one aspect of a common and broadly distributed form of inheritance based on epigenetic states.

MeSH Terms
Animals Epigenesis, Genetic Mutation RNA, Small Interfering Retroelements Selection, Genetic
Chemicals
RNA, Small Interfering Retroelements
Authors & Affiliations
2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Suter Catherine M
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, 405 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia. [email protected]
Martin David I K
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Article Info
Journal
Trends in genetics : TIG
Abbr.
Trends Genet
ISSN
0168-9525
DOI
10.1016/j.tig.2009.11.003
Email
[email protected]
Published
2010-01-00
Epub
2009-00-27
Pages
9-14
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
8507085
PMCID
PMC3137459
Subset
IM
Grants
NCI NIH HHS · R01 CA115768 · United States
NCI NIH HHS · R01 CA115768-02 · United States
NIEHS NIH HHS · R21 ES016581 · United States
NIEHS NIH HHS · R21 ES016581-01 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2009.11.003 PMC Full Text View journal details
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