Dynamic changes in DNA methylation during postnatal development in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) exposed to different temperatures

Epigenetic changes associated with early life conditions are known to play a significant role in shaping the adult phenotype. Studies of DNA methylation in wild animals are lacking, yet are important for understanding the fitness consequences of environmentally induced epigenetic change. In our study, we quantified variation in DNA methylation in wild, post-hatch zebra finches Taeniopygia guttata developing at seasonally variable temperatures in the Australian desert. We also compared variation in DNA methylation among captive zebra finch siblings raised in temperature controlled ‘hot’ or ‘cool’ rooms. We detected an increase in genome-wide levels of DNA methylation between day 3 and day 11 of post hatch development in wild zebra finches. In the wild, ambient temperatures were also found to affect genome-wide levels of DNA methylation and plasticity in the methylation state of individual loci. Family effects had a significant influence on DNA methylation throughout our study, and while ...已知与早期生活环境相关的表观遗传变化（epigenetic changes），在成体表型塑造过程中发挥关键调控作用。目前针对野生动物的DNA甲基化（DNA methylation）研究仍较为匮乏，但此类研究对解析环境诱导的表观遗传变化所带来的个体适合度影响至关重要。本研究针对澳大利亚沙漠地区、于季节性变温环境中发育的野生斑胸草雀（Taeniopygia guttata）出壳后个体，量化了其DNA甲基化水平的变异特征。本研究同时对比了在温控"高温"或"低温"环境中饲养的笼养斑胸草雀同胞间的DNA甲基化水平差异。研究发现，野生斑胸草雀在出壳后第3天至第11天的发育阶段，全基因组（genome-wide）DNA甲基化水平显著升高。野外环境中，环境温度还会影响全基因组DNA甲基化水平，以及单个基因座（locus，复数为loci）甲基化状态的可塑性（plasticity）。本研究全程中，家系效应（family effects）对DNA甲基化水平均存在显著影响，且 ...