Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance: the story of learned avoidance
7 days ago
- #C. elegans
- #epigenetics
- #learned avoidance
- Learned avoidance in C. elegans involves recognizing and avoiding pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA14).
- Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance allows avoidance behavior to be passed down up to four generations without new exposure to PA14.
- Discrepancies in observing transgenerational inheritance arise from methodological differences, such as the use of sodium azide versus temperature shifts to immobilize worms.
- Initial attraction to PA14 in naive worms is a critical factor in these studies, observed by some groups but not others.
- P11, a small RNA from PA14, is essential for inducing transgenerational epigenetic inheritance and affects chemoattraction to PA14.
- Behavioral assays in C. elegans are sensitive to environmental and procedural variations, complicating reproducibility.
- The Vidal-Gadea group's findings support the Murphy group's results, emphasizing the impact of experimental protocols on observed outcomes.