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Exploring epiallele stability in a population-epigenetic model

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  • Geoghegan, Jemma L.
  • Spencer, Hamish G.

Abstract

Differences in transgenerational epigenetic stability can result in a diversity of phenotypes among genetically identical individuals. Here we present a model that encapsulates non-genomic phenotypic variation in a population over two distinct environments that each act as a stimulus for epigenetic modification. By allowing different levels of epigenetic resetting, thereby increasing epigenetic diversity, we explore the dynamics of multiple epiallelic states subject to selection in a population-epigenetic model. We find that both epigenetic resetting and the environmental frequency are crucial parameters in this system. Our results illustrate the regions of parameter space that enable up to three equilibria to be simultaneously locally stable. Furthermore, it is clear that both continued environmental induction and epigenetic resetting prevent epigenetic fixation, maintaining phenotypic variation through different epiallelic states. However, unless both environments are reasonably common, levels of epigenetically-maintained variation are low. We argue that it is vital that non-genomic phenotypic diversity is not ignored in evolutionary theory, but instead regarded as distinct epiallelic variants. Ultimately, a critical goal of future experiments should be to determine accurate rates of epigenetic resetting, especially over several generations, in order to establish the long-term significance of epigenetic inheritance.

Suggested Citation

  • Geoghegan, Jemma L. & Spencer, Hamish G., 2013. "Exploring epiallele stability in a population-epigenetic model," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 136-144.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:thpobi:v:83:y:2013:i:c:p:136-144
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tpb.2012.09.001
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    1. Patrick Bateson & David Barker & Timothy Clutton-Brock & Debal Deb & Bruno D'Udine & Robert A. Foley & Peter Gluckman & Keith Godfrey & Tom Kirkwood & Marta Mirazón Lahr & John McNamara & Neil B. Metc, 2004. "Developmental plasticity and human health," Nature, Nature, vol. 430(6998), pages 419-421, July.
    2. Claude Becker & Jörg Hagmann & Jonas Müller & Daniel Koenig & Oliver Stegle & Karsten Borgwardt & Detlef Weigel, 2011. "Spontaneous epigenetic variation in the Arabidopsis thaliana methylome," Nature, Nature, vol. 480(7376), pages 245-249, December.
    3. Geoghegan, Jemma L. & Spencer, Hamish G., 2012. "Population-epigenetic models of selection," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 81(3), pages 232-242.
    4. Pilar Cubas & Coral Vincent & Enrico Coen, 1999. "An epigenetic mutation responsible for natural variation in floral symmetry," Nature, Nature, vol. 401(6749), pages 157-161, September.
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    1. Geoghegan, Jemma L. & Spencer, Hamish G., 2013. "The evolutionary potential of paramutation: A population-epigenetic model," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 9-19.
    2. Geoghegan, Jemma L. & Spencer, Hamish G., 2013. "The adaptive invasion of epialleles in a heterogeneous environment," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 1-8.

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