Mechanism Of Inheritance Research Articles

Variation in animal architecture: Genes, environment, and culture.

A new study investigates how stingless bee colonies inherit one of two architecturally distinct types of comb and proposes the primary mechanism of inheritance as stigmergy: among-individual coordination in comb building informed by environmental cues (i.e., social artefacts). These findings highlight the importance of social information in creating and maintaining architectural variance among structures.

Effects of positive mGlu5 modulation on D2 signaling and nicotine-conditioned place preference: Mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance in a transgenerational model of drug abuse vulnerability in psychosis.

The metabotropic glutamate type 5 (mGlu5) receptor has emerged as a potential target for the treatment of psychosis that is suggested to have greater efficacy than antipsychotic medications that are currently utilized. This study sought to elucidate mechanisms of therapeutic action associated with the modulation of the mGlu5 receptor in a disordered system marked by dopamine dysfunction. We further explored epigenetic mechanisms contributing to heritable transmission of a psychosis-like phenotype in a novel heritable model of drug abuse vulnerability in psychosis. F1 generation male and female Sprague-Dawley rats that were the offspring of two neonatal quinpirole-treated (QQ) or two saline-treated (SS) animals were tested on nicotine-conditioned place preference (CPP). Regulators of G protein signaling 9 (RGS9) and β-arrestin 2 (βA2), which mediate dopamine (DA) D2 signaling, were measured in the nucleus accumbens shell, prelimbic and infralimbic cortices. Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing (RRBS) was used to analyze the cytosine methylation in these brain regions. Pretreatment with the mGlu5-positive allosteric modulator 3-Cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (CDPPB) 20 min prior to conditioning trials blocked enhanced nicotine CPP and mitigated aberrant G protein-dependent and -independent signaling in QQ animals. RRBS analysis revealed region-specific changes in several pathways, including nicotine addiction, dopamine synapses, and neural connectivity. These results reveal an important region-specific mechanism of action for CDPPB in a system marked by enhanced DAD2 receptor signaling. Results additionally reveal DNA methylation as an epigenetic mechanism of heritability, further validating the current model as a useful tool for the study of psychosis and comorbid nicotine use.

The Study of the Inheritance Mechanisms of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1) in Families from the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystem disorder with progressive myopathy and myotonia. The clinical study was conducted in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (RNOA), and in it 39 individuals from 17 unrelated families were identified with DM1. Clinical presentations varied, including muscle weakness, fatigue, intellectual disability, hypersomnia, ophthalmological abnormalities, and alopecia. Using clinical and genotyping data, we confirmed the diagnosis and enabled the study of CTG-repeat anticipation and DM1 prevalence in the Ossetian and Ingush populations. CTG expansion correlated with age of onset, with clinical severity, and with offspring showing more severe symptoms than parents. In many families, the youngest child had a more severe DM1 phenotype than older siblings. The prevalence was 14.17 per 100,000 in Ossetians and 18.74 per 100,000 in Ingush people, aligning with global data. Segregation analysis showed a higher frequency of maternal transmission. The study highlights the clinical and genetic heterogeneity of DM1 and its dependence on repeat expansion and paternal and maternal age.

A sperm-enriched 5'fragment of tRNA-Valine regulates preimplantation embryonic transcriptome and development.

Sperm small RNAs have been implicated in intergenerational epigenetic inheritance of paternal environmental effects; however, their biogenesis and functions remain poorly understood. We previously identified a 5' fragment of tRNA-Valine-CAC-2 (tRFValCAC) as one of the most abundant small RNA in mature sperm. tRFValCAC is specifically enriched in sperm during post-testicular maturation in the epididymis, and we found that it is delivered to sperm from epididymis epithelial cells via extracellular vesicles. Here, we investigated the mechanistic basis of tRFValCAC delivery to sperm and its functions in the early embryo. We show that tRFValCAC interacts with an RNA binding protein, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A/B (hnRNPAB), in the epididymis, and this interaction regulates the sorting and packing of tRFValCAC into extracellular vesicles. In the embryo, we found that tRFValCAC regulates early embryonic mRNA processing and splicing. Inhibition of tRFValCAC in preimplantation embryos altered the transcript abundance of genes involved in RNA splicing and mRNA processing. Importantly, tRFValCAC-inhibited embryos showed altered mRNA splicing, including alternative splicing of various splicing factors and genes important for proper preimplantation embryonic development. Finally, we find that inhibition of tRFValCAC in zygotes delayed preimplantation embryonic development. Together, our results reveal a novel function of a sperm-enriched tRF in regulating alternating splicing and preimplantation embryonic development and shed light on the mechanism of sperm small RNA-mediated epigenetic inheritance.

Pesticide exposure triggers sex-specific inter- and transgenerational effects conditioned by past sexual selection.

Environmental variation often induces plastic responses in organisms that can trigger changes in subsequent generations through non-genetic inheritance mechanisms. Such transgenerational plasticity thus consists of environmentally induced non-random phenotypic modifications that are transmitted through generations. Transgenerational effects may vary according to the sex of the organism experiencing the environmental perturbation, the sex of their descendants or both, but whether they are affected by past sexual selection is unknown. Here, we use experimental evolution on an insect model system to conduct a first test of the involvement of sexual selection history in shaping transgenerational plasticity in the face of rapid environmental change (exposure to pesticide). We manipulated evolutionary history in terms of the intensity of sexual selection for over 80 generations before exposing individuals to the toxicant. We found that sexual selection history constrained adaptation under rapid environmental change. We also detected inter- and transgenerational effects of pesticide exposure in the form of increased fitness and longevity. These cross-generational influences of toxicants were sex dependent (they affected only male descendants), and intergenerational, but not transgenerational, plasticity was modulated by sexual selection history. Our results highlight the complexity of intra-, inter- and transgenerational influences of past selection and environmental stress on phenotypic expression.

Tetraniliprole resistance in field-collected populations of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) from China: Baseline susceptibility, cross-resistance, inheritance, and biochemical mechanism

Tuta absoluta is one of the most destructive and invasive insect pests throughout the world. It feeds on numerous solanaceous plant species and has developed resistance to most types of popular insecticides. Tetraniliprole is a novel diamide chemical agent that acts as a modulator of the ryanodine receptor. To establish T. absoluta susceptibility to tetraniliprole and to understand potential mechanisms of resistance, we monitored 18 field populations of T. absoluta collected from northern China. One field-evolved resistant population, Huailai (HL), showed moderate resistance to tetraniliprole (36.2-fold) in comparison with susceptible strain YN-S. Assays of cross-resistance, synergism, metabolic enzyme activity, and inheritance of resistance were performed with YN-S strain and HL population. The latter displayed 12.2- and 6.7-fold cross-resistance to chlorantraniliprole and flubendiamide, respectively, but little cross-resistance to broflanilide (1.6-fold), spinosad (2.1-fold), metaflumizone (1.5-fold), or indoxacarb (2.8-fold). Genetic analyses revealed that tetraniliprole resistance in HL population was autosomal, incompletely dominant, and polygenic. Piperonyl butoxide was found to significantly increase tetraniliprole toxicity, and enzymatic activities of P450 monooxygenase and glutathione S-transferase were significantly higher in HL than YN-S population. These results enhance our knowledge of the inheritance and mechanism of tetraniliprole resistance, enabling future optimization of resistance management strategies.

Who do I Look like More, Mom or Dad? An Exploratory Survey about Primary Students’ Ideas about Heredity

Unlike in other countries, heredity and genetics appear first in Spanish science standards in secondary levels. However, some researchers have suggested the need of progressively introducing some basic genetic ideas already from primary education levels. In this context of no formal instruction in early stages, the objectives of our work were to characterize the incipient heredity model of primary school pupils and to evaluate its progression, to identify the most appropriate time to introduce these ideas. We designed a 12-item questionnaire referred to two constructs: (1) the difference between biologically inherited and environmental acquired traits and (2) the mechanism of inheritance. 535 primary school pupils (6–12 years; grades 1–6) took part in the study. In addition, 1–2 pupils per class were interviewed, totalling 30 interviewees. The results showed that pupils clearly identified physical resemblance as inheritable but had more difficulties in assessing physiological traits. Most pupils (84%) correctly identified that accidentally acquired traits were not transmitted to the descendance. However, only 32,2% of them use terms related to inheritance (77,1% of them in G4 – G6). Regarding the mechanism of inheritance, the idea that siblings express traits of both parents becomes more prevalent from grade 3, even suggesting the appearance of new traits or the mixture of previous ones. Older pupils accepted that a trait could skip a generation, although most of them were unable to explain the mechanism, that involves the idea of dominance/ recessiveness. These results allow identifying key leverage points for constructing the inheritance model at Primary levels.

Insights into Fungal Mitochondrial Genomes and Inheritance Based on Current Findings from Yeast-like Fungi.

The primary functions of mitochondria are to produce energy and participate in the apoptosis of cells, with them being highly conserved among eukaryotes. However, the composition of mitochondrial genomes, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication, and mitochondrial inheritance varies significantly among animals, plants, and fungi. Especially in fungi, there exists a rich diversity of mitochondrial genomes, as well as various replication and inheritance mechanisms. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of fungal mitochondria is crucial for unraveling the evolutionary history of mitochondria in eukaryotes. In this review, we have organized existing reports to systematically describe and summarize the composition of yeast-like fungal mitochondrial genomes from three perspectives: mitochondrial genome structure, encoded genes, and mobile elements. We have also provided a systematic overview of the mechanisms in mtDNA replication and mitochondrial inheritance during bisexual mating. Additionally, we have discussed and proposed open questions that require further investigation for clarification.

Intergenerational evolution of intangible cultural heritage through tourism development: perspectives of practitioners in Hangzhou China

ABSTRACT As cultural carriers of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), practitioners are key stakeholders in its inheritance and tourism use. Master-apprentice transmission is a major mechanism of generational inheritance. This paper examines ICH masters and apprentices at the Arts & Crafts Museum of Hangzhou, China, and analyzes the cultural composition of handicraft ICH and its intergenerational evolutionary mechanisms. Semi-structured interviews with two generations of practitioners and participant observation were undertaken. Research results reveal that intergenerational evolution involves multifaceted stakeholder interactions centred on practitioners with the support of government, management of the museum and participation of visitors. With patterns of family and master-apprentice inheritance, two generations of practitioners facilitate the evolution of handicraft ICH though both co-creations and conflicts. Second, six cultural attributes for handicraft ICH as of material, pattern, shape, technique, image and system are identified to visualise the process of intergenerational evolution. Third, driven by internal and external factors, ICH evolves through tracks of inheritance, selection and variation as presented through the above six cultural attributes. Moreover, the interdependence of cultural elements highlights the heritage framework of handicraft ICH and reflects the fluidity of authenticity. Accordingly, theoretical contributions and future research directions are offered for the sustainable development of handicraft ICH.

Global self-sustaining and local inheritance for source-free unsupervised domain adaptation

In this paper, we investigate a practical problem called source-free unsupervised domain adaptation, which adapts a source-trained model to the target domain with unlabeled target data. To address this problem, we propose a novel GlObal self-sustAining and Local inheritance (GOAL) method. GOAL contains three components. (1) A backbone follows a mean teacher scheme. The teacher model serves as a smoothing functionality, facilitating a more consistent convergence of the student model. This capability alleviates the student model’s sensitivity to minor input data variations and enhances the overall robustness of the model. Additionally, disparities in predictions between the student and teacher models can be leveraged to identify potential noise in the data. (2) A Global Consistency Self-Sustaining mechanism for learning a stable, discriminative, and diverse prediction space. On the one hand, we employ neighbor samples and mean-teacher schemes to enhance the discriminability and stability of model predictions. On the other hand, non-neighbor samples are leveraged to augment the diversity of model predictions. Furthermore, to mitigate the impact of potential negative neighbors, we derive a weighting factor by incorporating both neighbor entropy and the top-nd similarity of features. (3) A Local Topology Inheritance mechanism to improve the semantic structure of the feature space. We construct a semantic topology graph based on the output predictions of the teacher model and subsequently transmit the teacher topology to the feature space of the student utilizing a local topology inheritance loss. Combining these three components, GOAL can effectively solve the source-free unsupervised domain adaptation. To the best of our knowledge, GOAL is the first attempt to perform topology inheritance for global consistency domain adaptation. Comprehensive experiments illustrate the effectiveness and superiority of GOAL in addressing source-free unsupervised domain adaptation.

Nanopore sequencing demonstrates the roles of spermatozoal DNA N6-methyladenine in mediating transgenerational lipid metabolism disorder induced by excessive folate consumpton

Increased consumption of folic acid is prevalent due to its beneficial effects, but growing evidence emphasizes the side effects pointing to excessive dietary folate intake. The effects of excessive paternal folic acid consumption on offspring and its transgenerational inheritance mechanism have not been elucidated. We hypothesize that excessive folic acid consumption will alter sperm DNA N6-methyladenine (6mA) and 5-methylcytosine (5mC) methylation and heritably influence offspring metabolic homeostasis. Here, we fed roosters either folic acid-control or folic acid-excess diet throughout life. Paternal chronic folic acid excessive supplementation increased hepatic lipogenesis and lipid accumulation but reduced lipolysis both in the roosters and their offspring, which was further confirmed to be induced by one-carbon metabolism inhibition and gene expression alteration associated with the Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor pathway. Based on the spermatozoal genome-wide DNA methylome identified by Nanopore sequencing, multi-omics association analysis of spermatozoal and hepatic DNA methylome, transcriptome, and metabolome suggested that differential spermatozoal DNA 6mA and 5mC methylation could be involved in regulating lipid metabolism-related gene expression in offspring chickens. This model suggests that sperm DNA N6-methyladenine and 5-methylcytosine methylation were involved in epigenetic transmission and that paternal dietary excess folic acid leads to hepatic lipid accumulation in offspring.

Evolving filter criteria for randomly initialized network pruning in image classification

Network pruning aims to enhance the performance of deep neural networks by eliminating redundant components from the model. However, existing pruning methods typically require a well-trained model and employ fixed, single pruning criteria throughout the pruning cycles. To address these limitations, we propose a novel method called Evolutionary Filter Criteria (EvoFC). This method enables the automated search for the network pruning ratio and criterion during a population-based heuristic search process. We introduce a unique encoding space that represents the chosen pruning criterion and ratio for each layer, facilitating the acquisition of optimal architecture configurations for candidate networks during iterations. Additionally, we devise a novel weight inheritance mechanism to mitigate the computational burden associated with the population-based nature of the method, resulting in a significant reduction in overall training time. We validate our method by applying it to randomly initialized networks and conducting empirical experiments on CIFAR-10/100, ILSVRC-2012 and Places365 datasets. The results demonstrate that our method effectively reduces the number of FLOPs while striking a fine balance between accuracy and computational efficiency. This underscores the practical value of our method in optimizing performance while efficiently utilizing computational resources, particularly when pruning networks starting from random initialization.

A novel two-stage multi-objective dispatch model for a distributed hybrid CCHP system considering source-load fluctuations mitigation

Small-scale distributed energy systems with combined cooling, heating, and power (DES-CCHP) production have attracted international interest. However, fluctuating loads and renewable energies continuously disturb the real-time operation of DES-CCHP and even the connected grid, hindering the broad application of grid-connected DES-CCHP. In this paper, a novel model predictive control (MPC) based two-stage strategy is developed for DES-CCHP, with multiple timescales consideration. In the first stage, a multi-objective MPC is built with inheritance and fusion mechanisms of multi-step scheduling instructions, simultaneously minimizing operation costs and power fluctuations. The second stage performs intelligent decision-making on the results of the first stage, which allows appropriate state-switching instructions to ensure economy. Meanwhile, the decision-making rejects the unnecessary one and triggers a second-round flexibility-based interventional optimization to revise scheduling planning. The case studies show that compared to dispatch without MPC, the economic single-objective MPC, single-stage multi-objective MPC (only applies the first-stage models), and two-stage multi-objective MPC save costs by 5.31 %, 4.80 %, and 4.57 %, respectively. As for fluctuations mitigation, the single-stage and two-stage models significantly smooth power fluctuations by 51.66 % and 69.93 %, respectively. The proposed strategy operates DES-CCHP economically, stably, and grid-friendly under a rugged operating environment.

Haemolymph transfusions transfer heritable learned novel odour preferences to naive larvae of Bicyclus anynana butterflies.

The mechanisms whereby environmental experiences of parents are transmitted to their offspring to impact their behaviour and fitness are poorly understood. Previously, we showed that naive Bicyclus anynana butterfly larvae, whose parents fed on a normal plant feed but coated with a novel odour, inherited an acquired preference towards that odour, which had initially elicited avoidance in the naive parents. Here, we performed simple haemolymph transfusions from odour-fed and control-fed larvae to naive larval recipients. We found that larvae injected with haemolymph from odour-fed donors stopped avoiding the novel odour, and their naive offspring preferred the odour more, compared to the offspring of larvae injected with control haemolymph. These results indicate that factors in the haemolymph, potentially the odour molecule itself, play an important role in odour learning and preference transmission across generations. Furthermore, this mechanism of odour preference inheritance, mediated by the haemolymph, bypasses the peripheral odour-sensing mechanisms taking place in the antennae, mouthparts or legs, and may mediate food plant switching and diversification in Lepidoptera or more broadly across insects.

Identifying Pathological Myopia Associated Genes with A Random Walk-Based Method in Protein-Protein Interaction Network

Background: Pathological myopia, a severe variant of myopia, extends beyond the typical refractive error associated with nearsightedness. While the condition has a strong genetic component, the intricate mechanisms of inheritance remain elusive. Some genes have been associated with the development of pathological myopia, but their exact roles are not fully understood. Objective: This study aimed to identify novel genes associated with pathological myopia. Methods: Our study leveraged DisGeNET to identify 184 genes linked with high myopia and 39 genes related to degenerative myopia. To uncover additional pathological myopia-associated genes, we employed the random walk with restart algorithm to investigate the protein-protein interactions network. We used the previously identified 184 high myopia and 39 degenerative myopia genes as seed nodes. Results: Through subsequent screening tests, we discarded genes with weak associations, yielding 103 new genes for high myopia and 33 for degenerative myopia. Conclusion: We confirmed the association of certain genes, including six genes that were confirmed to be associated with both high and degenerative myopia. The newly discovered genes are helpful to uncover and understand the pathogenesis of myopia.

Monogenic familial autoinflammatory Behçet-like syndrome/ haploinsufficiency A20 syndrome is a new form of autoinflammatory pathology. Literature review and description of cases

Monogenic familial autoinflammatory Behçet-like syndrome/haploinsufficiency A20 syndrome is a hereditary autoinflammatory disease from the group of ubiquitinopathies which are caused by a mutation of the TNFAIP3 gene encoding the A20 protein with an autosomal dominant inheritance mechanism and clinical picture similar to Behçet’s disease. Pathogenesis is based on a 50% function decreasing of the nuclear factor inhibitor protein NFkB, what leads to overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines. The disease onset is usually in childhood. Clinical features are presented with recurrent aphthous stomatitis and genital aphthae in most patients and also inflammatory bowel damage is noted. Eye damage is noted rarely than in sporadic Behçet’s disease. In addition, the clinical picture may be presented with arthritis, skin rashes, lesions of the cardiovascular system (pericarditis), fever. Increasing of acute-phase markers is noticed, there is a high frequency of autoantibodies detection in contrast with “classic” autoinflammattory diseases. It can be combined with other autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), autoimmune thyroiditis, hepatitis, etc.). The description of two patients and comparison with another patient from Russia who was described earlier are presented. All patients had aphthous stomatitis and genital aphthaes, intestinal inflammation symptoms, which was dominanting in one of the patients. Another patient had severe polyarthritis in combination with immunological manifestations which were typical for SLE. The first patient had a good clinical response with the tumor necrosis factor inhibitor adalimumab, the second patient – the anti-B cell drug rituximab.

Excellent Case of Building A "School-land" Co-construction and Sharing Pattern Network of School Aesthetic Education and Regional Culture

With the development of computer science, some of the excellence artworks of Henan Provence are very popular through network dissemination. To achieve the transformation of Henan cultural brand from "parts" to "whole" and from "internet celebrity" to "long-lasting", it is necessary to establish an active inheritance mechanism network for Henan regional cultural resources and enhance the endogenous and innovative capabilities of traditional regional culture. The modern school aesthetic education system that runs through all stages has a natural advantage in incubating regional cultural communities. However, in reality, the aesthetic and spiritual attributes shared by school aesthetic education and regional culture have not been sufficiently valued, and the connection between the two lacks active policy design and mechanism innovation. Through Literature, field research and interviewing professors, artists and persons in charge of regional culture, the Department of Public Art Education at Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics has recognized the value of integrating school aesthetic education with regional culture in terms of cultivating students and building a rich cultural life. Leveraging their connections with social artist groups and individuals online and offline, who have conducted research on the ecological conditions of Zhengzhou's art districts, intangible cultural heritage, and the current status and issues of various school aesthetic education programs in the province through various ways. The working mechanisms and platforms have been establishment online and offline. The establishment of a pattern of co-construction and sharing of art education and regional culture network in the school is essentially a practical and methodological issue. Some plans have been made for the future. Research has found that for school aesthetic education, curriculum, teaching staff, and internal and external collaborative mechanisms are key points for the reform and development of aesthetic education. Schools aesthetic education curriculum system should integrate regional culture from multiple dimensions with network. A collaborative art education framework should be formed which integrates social and cultural resources at the regional level.

Влияние сублетальных доз хлорида кадмия на развитие доимплантационных зародышей в двух поколениях мышей

Cadmium is a heavy metal, highly toxic pollutant, entering the environment as a by-product of most modern industries. The effect of cadmium on the body depends on the route of entry, duration and dose of exposure. One of the important areas of this research is the study of the effect of cadmium on early development, leading to diseases in the adult body and possible developmental abnormalities in offspring. The aim of this study was to analyze the development of preimplantation embryos of mice exposed in utero to cadmium chloride and embryos obtained from cadmium-exposed parents. Preimplantation embryos of F1 (CBA×C57BL) hybrid mice exposed in utero to 30 µM of cadmium chloride (F1 — the first generation) and embryos of similar age, obtained from females and males, exposed in utero (F2 — the second generation), was studied. The toxic effect of cadmium chloride was studied by paternal, maternal and “double” (both parents were exposed) lines of inheritance. The development of embryos was assessed by the rate of blastomeres cleavage and the number of blastocysts. The F1 generation embryos exposed to cadmium chloride in utero passed the initial stages of cleavage and blastocyst formation faster compared to the control embryos. The development of the the maternal line second generation embryos (F2) was comparable with the control group. In the paternal and “double” (both parents were exposed) lines of inheritance, the rate of cleavage at the morula stage was slowdown, however, at the blastocyst stage, the rate of cleavage of embryos did not statistically differ from the control embryos. The effect of sublethal doses of cadmium chloride on famale mice at the onset of pregnancy affects not only the embryos of the first generation, directly exposed to cadmium chloride, but also the descendants of exposed parents in the second generation, slowing down the process of proliferation in the embryos of the paternal line of inheritance and in embryos born from two exposed parents. The results obtained in our model suggest that the harm from smoking caused by the accumulation of cadmium is manifested not only in children, but also in grandchildren. The epigenetic mechanism of such inheritance is most likely, which gives grounds for the development of preventive approaches to eliminate possible harmful consequences. It is advisable to recommend stopping smoking during pregnancy and in the period before conception.

Imaging approaches for the diagnosis of genetic diseases affecting the female reproductive organs and beyond.

This review aims to provide an overview of neoplastic lesions associated with genetic diseases affecting the female reproductive organs. It seeks to enhance our understanding of the radiological aspects in diagnosing genetic diseases including hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndromes, Lynch syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, and Swyer syndrome, and explores the patterns and mechanisms of inheritance that require elucidation. Additionally, we discuss the imaging characteristics of lesions occurring in other regions due to the same genetic diseases.

A natural bacterial pathogen of C. elegans uses a small RNA to induce transgenerational inheritance of learned avoidance.

C. elegans can learn to avoid pathogenic bacteria through several mechanisms, including bacterial small RNA-induced learned avoidance behavior, which can be inherited transgenerationally. Previously, we discovered that a small RNA from a clinical isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, PA14, induces learned avoidance and transgenerational inheritance of that avoidance in C. elegans. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important human pathogen, and there are other Pseudomonads in C. elegans' natural habitat, but it is unclear whether C. elegans ever encounters PA14-like bacteria in the wild. Thus, it is not known if small RNAs from bacteria found in C. elegans' natural habitat can also regulate host behavior and produce heritable behavioral effects. Here we screened a set of wild habitat bacteria, and found that a pathogenic Pseudomonas vranovensis strain isolated from the C. elegans microbiota, GRb0427, regulates worm behavior: worms learn to avoid this pathogenic bacterium following exposure, and this learned avoidance is inherited for four generations. The learned response is entirely mediated by bacterially-produced small RNAs, which induce avoidance and transgenerational inheritance, providing further support that such mechanisms of learning and inheritance exist in the wild. We identified Pv1, a small RNA expressed in P. vranovensis, that has a 16-nucleotide match to an exon of the C. elegans gene maco-1. Pv1 is both necessary and sufficient to induce learned avoidance of Grb0427. However, Pv1 also results in avoidance of a beneficial microbiome strain, P. mendocina. Our findings suggest that bacterial small RNA-mediated regulation of host behavior and its transgenerational inheritance may be functional in C. elegans' natural environment, and that this potentially maladaptive response may favor reversal of the transgenerational memory after a few generations. Our data also suggest that different bacterial small RNA-mediated regulation systems evolved independently, but define shared molecular features of bacterial small RNAs that produce transgenerationally-inherited effects.