DNA Methylation as a Mechanism to Increase Adaptive Potential in Invertebrates

智力优势表观遗传学是指能够在不改变潜在DNA序列的情况下引起遗传活动变化的过程。DNA甲基化是表观遗传调控中研究最多的机制之一，指的是在胞嘧啶碱基上加一个甲基。DNA甲基化被认为是进化上古老的，虽然标记本身很普遍，但DNA甲基化的模式是令人难以置信的多样化的。最近对某些无脊椎动物DNA甲基化的研究提供了证据，证明在某些物种中，DNA甲基化的局部缺失可能直接导致遗传信息表达的变化。这项研究以太平洋牡蛎为模型系统，研究了DNA甲基化系统为提高适应不断变化的环境条件的能力提供了一种机制的理论。高通量测序和微阵列方法的结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具有生态和经济重要性的海洋无脊椎动物的基因表达。将针对多个发展阶段以及遭受严重环境压力的个人。实验设计允许全面描述与DNA甲基化相关的机制，包括测试缺乏特定甲基化模式的基因将具有更多替代表达遗传信息的方式的理论。广泛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环境中。研究活动将通过开放获取的实验室电子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。这些外展活动将提高人们对分子过程及其与我们环境的关系的科学素养和认识。此外，该项目还考察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一级对环境变化的反应的预测产生重大影响，并将在长期内为保护自然资源做出贡献。

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.