Properties of epigenetic variation and its evolutionary consequences (EPIMUT)
Main funder
Funder's project number: 321584
Funds granted by main funder (€)
- 438 874,00
Funding program
Project timetable
Project start date: 01/09/2019
Project end date: 31/08/2024
Summary
Traditionally only genetic changes have been considered to be the raw material of evolution. However, it is now clear that epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small RNAs can be inherited at least to some extent. In recent years, evidence for epigenetic inheritance has accumulated in multiple systems. If something can be inherited, it can in principle have a role in evolution, as evolutionary theory does not require a specific mechanism for inheritance. However, spontaneous epigenetic changes have different properties than genetic mutations and thus epigenetic changes can cause different types of evolutionary dynamics compared to genetic mutations. My previous work has investigated the role of epigenetic mutations in adaptation using both theoretical models and experiments. I have shown that, provided some conditions are met, epigenetic mutations can cause two-phase evolutionary dynamics where epigenetic mutations are used first in adaptation, followed by genetic mutations that fix the same phenotype. Our experiments also indicate that DNA methylation changes participate in adaptation.
To move the field forward we need to have a better understanding of the properties of epigenetic changes. To address this issue I propose to perform two large experiments. In the first experiment, I will determine the rate and stability of spontaneous DNA methylation and histone modification changes in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa by using a mutation accumulation experiment and subsequently determining changes in DNA methylation and histone modifications by whole genome sequencing. We need more and better estimates of rates of epigenetic changes, and for histone modifications as well and not only just for DNA methylation. Moreover, estimates of the phenotypic effects that epigenetic changes have are extremely important in understanding the evolutionary consequence of epigenetic mutations. And the proposed experiment will give us an estimate of the phenotypic effects. In the second experiment, I will determine if transgenerational effects are present in Neurospora, for how many generations they are transmitted, and if they are due to epigenetic changes induced by the environment. Getting these estimates will allow parametrizing models with realistic values and allow determining how epigenetic changes influence evolutionary adaptation.
To move the field forward we need to have a better understanding of the properties of epigenetic changes. To address this issue I propose to perform two large experiments. In the first experiment, I will determine the rate and stability of spontaneous DNA methylation and histone modification changes in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa by using a mutation accumulation experiment and subsequently determining changes in DNA methylation and histone modifications by whole genome sequencing. We need more and better estimates of rates of epigenetic changes, and for histone modifications as well and not only just for DNA methylation. Moreover, estimates of the phenotypic effects that epigenetic changes have are extremely important in understanding the evolutionary consequence of epigenetic mutations. And the proposed experiment will give us an estimate of the phenotypic effects. In the second experiment, I will determine if transgenerational effects are present in Neurospora, for how many generations they are transmitted, and if they are due to epigenetic changes induced by the environment. Getting these estimates will allow parametrizing models with realistic values and allow determining how epigenetic changes influence evolutionary adaptation.
Principal Investigator
Primary responsible unit
Follow-up groups
Related publications and other outputs
- Antimicrobial resistance in the wild : Insights from epigenetics (2024) Villalba de la Peña, Mariana; et al.; A2; OA
- Chromatin structure influences rate and spectrum of spontaneous mutations in Neurospora crassa (2023) Villalba de la Peña, Mariana; et al.; A1; OA
- Experimental evolution of evolutionary potential in fluctuating environments (2023) Ketola, Tarmo; et al.; A1; OA
- Parental effects in a filamentous fungus : Phenotype, fitness and mechanism (2023) Villalba de la Peña, Mariana; et al.; A1; OA
- Evolution of anticipatory effects mediated by epigenetic changes (2022) Kronholm, Ilkka; A1; OA
- Evolutionary rescue at different rates of environmental change is affected by trade‐offs between short‐term performance and long‐term survival (2021) Liukkonen, Martta; et al.; A1; OA
- Quantitative genetics of temperature performance curves of Neurospora crassa (2020) Moghadam, N.N.; et al.; A1; OA
