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Epigenetics - How Environment Shapes Our Genes?

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June 5, 2020

The literal meaning of the term epigenetic is “on top of or in addition to genetics.” The series of chemical tags that modify DNA and its associated structures constitute the epigenome, and include any genetic expression modifier independent of the DNA sequence of a gene. The genome defines the complete set of genetic information contained in the DNA, residing within the cells of each organism. The epigenome, on the other hand, comprises the complex modifications associated with genomic DNA, imparting a unique cellular and developmental identity.

The environment presents these various factors to the individual that influence the epigenome, and the unique epigenetic and genetic profile of each individual also modulates the specific response to these factors.

During the course of human life, we are exposed to an environment that abounds with a potent and dynamic milieu capable of triggering chemical changes that activate or silence genes. There is constant interaction between the external and internal environments that is required for normal development and health maintenance as well as for influencing disease load and resistance. For example, exposure to pharmaceutical and toxic chemicals, diet, stress, exercise, and other environmental factors are capable of eliciting positive or negative epigenetic modifications with lasting effects on development, metabolism and health. These can impact the body so profoundly as to permanently alter the epigenetic profile of an individual.

Mechanisms underlying epigenetics

DNA methylation, histone modification and RNA-associated silencing are the major ways these changes are controlled, which are described in more detail below.

Epigenetics across the human lifespan

In many ways, epigenetic expression can be thought of as the “software” of the genome and directs embryogenesis and development, as well as influences the development of an individual's body and brain after birth.

Unique sets of genes are induced or silenced epigenetically during different stages of life and these are responsible for the development and maturation of the individual through orchestrated events in combination with input from the environment.

Any kind of epigenetic factors influencing genes or gene expression networks during life stages can result in an imbalance in the regulation process, and might have a life-long effect on the individual. While such flexibility gives rise to beneficial adaptability to environmental conditions, it likewise allows weaknesses to integrate and exert negative and diseased outcomes on both individual and evolutionary scales.

Various external epigenetic factors modulate the biology of an individual at a physical and emotional level. Some of the most important exogenous factors influencing human health are described hereafter:

• Environmental chemicals. Encounters with pesticides, toxins and synthetic compounds can methylate genes in adults and also promulgate diseases decades later in offspring following in utero exposures. Heavy metals including arsenic, nickel and cadmium are widespread environmental contaminants capable of disrupting DNA methylation and histone acetylation and as a result have been associated with a number of diseases including cancer, neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases.
• Seasonal and diurnal changes. The drastic changes in lifestyle through the last century and higher incidence of modern day diseases like obesity, Type 2 diabetes and a spectrum of mental disorders has been linked to disruption of the internal circadian clock, a mechanism of homeostatic regulation of physiological processes and metabolic functions, and this has been attributed to exposure to epigenetic factors

For the past several decades genetics has been at the forefront in terms of understanding human disease. A recent addition to genetics has been epigenetics, which includes the role of the environment, both social and natural, including day-to-day habits, lifestyle and personal experiences on human health. Epigenetics establishes a scientific basis for how external factors and the environment can shape an individual both physically and mentally.

The knowledge that environment and lifestyle can alter health brings with it awareness that habits, social environment, diet and other factors shape health beyond our acquired genetic traits. Moreover, despite the risk presented by inherited genes and mutations, epigenetic factors play a decisive role in the actual development of disease. Research into epigenetics could lead to insights into how factors like diet and exercise can be customized to an individual in concordance with their naturally inherited genome in order to minimize the risk of developing a disease to which he/she is naturally predisposed.

Ultimately, continued efforts to determine how and when epigenetic switches regulate gene function will elucidate the interplay between the genome, the epigenome, and the environment and facilitate the development and optimization of novel therapeutic tools. In terms of future application, full understanding of these mechanisms will ultimately revolutionize personalized medicine.

Citation: Front Cell Dev Biol. 2014; 2: 49.

Published online 2014 Sep 9. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2014.00049

Reviewed by,
Dr. Jaskirat Kaur Kahai. Modern Wellness Diagnostic Services