Epigenetic Modifications at the Center of the Barker Hypothesis and Their Transgenerational Implications

Rebecca Jean Ryznar, Lacie Phibbs and Lon J. Van Winkle
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Rebecca Jean Ryznar: Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rocky Vista University, Parker, CO 80134, USA
Lacie Phibbs: College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Parker, CO 80134, USA
Lon J. Van Winkle: Department of Medical Humanities, Rocky Vista University, Parker, CO 80134, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-12

Abstract: Embryo/fetal nutrition and the environment in the reproductive tract influence the subsequent risk of developing adult diseases and disorders, as formulated in the Barker hypothesis. Metabolic syndrome, obesity, heart disease, and hypertension in adulthood have all been linked to unwanted epigenetic programing in embryos and fetuses. Multiple studies support the conclusion that environmental challenges, such as a maternal low-protein diet, can change one-carbon amino acid metabolism and, thus, alter histone and DNA epigenetic modifications. Since histones influence gene expression and the program of embryo development, these epigenetic changes likely contribute to the risk of adult disease onset not just in the directly affected offspring, but for multiple generations to come. In this paper, we hypothesize that the effects of parental nutritional status on fetal epigenetic programming are transgenerational and warrant further investigation. Numerous studies supporting this hypothesis are reviewed, and potential research techniques to study these transgenerational epigenetic effects are offered.

Keywords: Barker hypothesis; transgenerational epigenetics; amino acid transporters; exosomes; short tRNA fragments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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