PRC2 mediates paternal epigenetic inheritance: comparison of heterozygous mutant embryos

Determining the mechanisms that establish and regulate the transmission of non-genetic (i.e. epigenetic) information from parent to offspring is critical for understanding disease heredity. Using an innovative model to assess transmission of epigenetic effects, we provide evidence that Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) mediates inheritance through the male germline. This study reveals a novel role for histone modifying complexes in epigenetic inheritance, with important implications for understanding disease inheritance. Comparison of gene expression in E8.5 embryos with the same heterozygous genotype, produced from heterozygous (n=4) and homozygous (n=4) Eedl7Rn5-1989SB fathers reveal differences in gene expression possibly due to altered epigenetic patterning in the sperm.