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.明确建立并调控亲代向子代传递非遗传信息，即表观遗传（epigenetic）信息的机制，对于理解疾病遗传具有至关重要的意义。本研究借助创新性模型评估表观遗传效应的传递过程，提供了证据表明多梳蛋白抑制复合体2（Polycomb Repressive Complex 2，PRC2）可通过雄性生殖系介导遗传信息的传递。本研究揭示了组蛋白修饰复合体在表观遗传继承中的全新功能，这对于理解疾病遗传机制具有重要参考价值。本研究对由杂合（n=4）与纯合（n=4）Eedl7Rn5-1989SB雄性父本产生的、且携带相同杂合基因型的E8.5胚胎的基因表达水平进行对比分析，发现两组胚胎的基因表达存在差异，该差异可能源于精子中表观遗传模式的改变。