US EPA

3337672 

Journal Article 

Review 

Epigenetics and the environment: emerging patterns and implications 

Feil, R; Fraga, MF 

2012 

1 

Nature Reviews. Genetics
ISSN: 1471-0056
EISSN: 1471-0064 

13 

2 

97-109 

English 

22215131 

10.1038/nrg3142 

WOS:000299314700010 

http://www.nature.com/articles/nrg3142
Exit
 

Epigenetic phenomena in animals and plants are mediated by DNA methylation and stable chromatin modifications. There has been considerable interest in whether environmental factors modulate the establishment and maintenance of epigenetic modifications, and could thereby influence gene expression and phenotype. Chemical pollutants, dietary components, temperature changes and other external stresses can indeed have long-lasting effects on development, metabolism and health, sometimes even in subsequent generations. Although the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown, particularly in humans, mechanistic insights are emerging from experimental model systems. These have implications for structuring future research and understanding disease and development.