Abstract
Changes in epigenetic states affect organismal homeostasis, including stress resistance. However, the mechanisms coordinating epigenetic states and systemic stress resistance remain largely unknown. Here, we identify the intestine-to-germline communication of epigenetic states, which intergenerationally enhances stress resistance in C.elegans. The alterations in epigenetic states by deficiency of the histone H3K4me3 modifier ASH-2 in the intestine or germline increase organismal stress resistance, which is abrogated by knockdown of the H3K4 demethylase RBR-2. Remarkably, the increase in stress resistance induced by ASH-2 deficiency in the intestine is abrogated by RBR-2 knockdown in the germline, suggesting the intestine-to-germline transmission of epigenetic information. This communication from intestine to germline in the parental generation increases stress resistance in the next generation. Moreover, the intertissue communication is mediated partly by transcriptional regulation of F08F1.3. These results reveal that intertissue communication of epigenetic information provides mechanisms forintergenerational regulation of systemic stress resistance.
Highlights
Organismal homeostasis is regulated by genetic and environmental factors (Benayoun et al, 2015; Lopez-Otın et al, 2013; Riera et al, 2016)
The increase in stress resistance induced by ASH-2 deficiency in the intestine is abrogated by RBR-2 knockdown in the germline, suggesting the intestine-to-germline transmission of epigenetic information
The intertissue communication is mediated partly by transcriptional regulation of F08F1.3. These results reveal that intertissue communication of epigenetic information provides mechanisms for intergenerational regulation of systemic stress resistance
Summary
Organismal homeostasis is regulated by genetic and environmental factors (Benayoun et al, 2015; Lopez-Otın et al, 2013; Riera et al, 2016). Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression that are not accompanied by alterations in the DNA sequence (Wenzel et al, 2011). A fertilized egg differentiates into various cell types to make a complete multicellular organism. Differentiation requires epigenetic regulation, leading to gradual loss of pluripotency and acquisition of cell-type-specific characteristics Life history has profound effects on organismal phenotypes via alterations in epigenetic states (Cortessis et al, 2012; Etchegaray and Mostoslavsky, 2016; Turner, 2009). Epigenetics acts as a nexus between genes and environment and plays a prominent role in organismal homeostasis
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