DNA Methylation as a Mechanism to Increase Adaptive Potential in Invertebrates

表观遗传学是指能够诱导遗传活性变化而不改变潜在DNA序列的过程。DNA甲基化是表观遗传调控中研究最多的机制之一，是指在胞嘧啶碱基上添加甲基。DNA甲基化被认为是进化上古老的，虽然标记本身是普遍的，但DNA甲基化的模式是令人难以置信的多样化。最近对某些无脊椎动物DNA甲基化特征的研究提供了证据，表明在某些物种中，DNA甲基化的局部缺失可能直接导致遗传信息表达的变化。以太平洋牡蛎为模型系统，本研究探讨了DNA甲基化系统提供了一种提高适应不断变化的环境条件的能力的机制的理论。高通量测序和微阵列方法的组合被用来研究全基因组甲基化模式，并评估这些模式如何影响在生态和经济上重要的海洋无脊椎动物的基因表达。 将针对多个发育阶段以及遭受严重环境压力的个人。实验设计允许与DNA甲基化相关的机制的全面表征，包括测试理论，即缺乏特定甲基化模式的基因将拥有更大的发病率的替代方式表达遗传信息。更广泛的影响这个项目将有助于研究生和本科生的培训和教育，并将被整合到正式的课堂设置。研究活动将通过开放获取的电子实验室笔记本向公众和其他科学家提供，并作为实践教育和外联活动的一部分。这些推广活动将提高科学素养和对分子过程及其与环境关系的认识。 此外，该项目还研究了表观遗传学如何影响物种适应环境变化的能力。因此，这项研究可能会对生态系统对环境变化的反应的预测产生重大影响，并将有助于长期保护自然资源。

Intellectual Merit Epigenetics refers to processes capable of inducing changes in genetic activity without altering the underlying DNA sequence. DNA methylation is one of the most studied mechanisms of epigenetic regulation and refers to the addition of a methyl group to cytosine bases. DNA methylation is presumed to be evolutionarily ancient, and, while the mark itself is prevalent, the patterns of DNA methylation are incredibly diverse. Recent research characterizing DNA methylation in certain invertebrates is providing evidence that in some species the localized absence of DNA methylation could directly contribute to changes in the expression of genetic information. Using the Pacific oyster as a model system, this research investigates the theory that the DNA methylation system provides a mechanism for increased ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. A combination of high-throughput sequencing and microarray approaches are used to investigate genome-wide methylation patterns and assess how these patterns influence gene expression in an ecologically and economically important marine invertebrate. Multiple developmental stages will be targeted as well as individuals subjected to acute environmental stress. The experimental design allows for a comprehensive characterization of mechanisms associated with DNA methylation, including testing the theory that genes lacking specific methylation patterns will possess a greater incidence of alternative ways of expressing the genetic information.Broader Impact This project will contribute to the training and education of graduate and undergraduate students and will be integrated into the formal classroom setting. Research activities will be made available to the public and other scientists through open access electronic lab notebooks and as part of hands-on education and outreach activities. These outreach activities will increase scientific literacy and appreciation of molecular processes and their relationship to our environment. Furthermore, this project examines how epigenetics influences the ability of a species to adapt to environmental change. Thus, this research could considerably impact predictions of ecosystem-level responses to environmental change and will contribute in the long-term to the conservation of natural resources.