Journal
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
Volume 28, Issue 1, Pages 54-71Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15942
Keywords
DNA methylation; epigenetic reprogramming; gene expression; histone modification; IPCC+1.5 degrees C ocean warming scenario; thermal plasticity; three-spined stickleback; transgenerational epigenetic inheritance
Funding
- AWI (Alfred Wegener Institute)
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Our study revealed that parental acclimation to ocean warming results in dynamic and temperature-sensitive reprogramming of epigenetics and gene expression during offspring development in marine stickleback. Different warming scenarios led to significant changes in global methylation/hydroxymethylation and gene expression related to epigenetic modifications, suggesting potential 'windows of opportunity' for adaptive epigenetic responses under future climate change.
Rapid climate change is placing many marine species at risk of local extinction. Recent studies show that epigenetic mechanisms (e.g. DNA methylation, histone modifications) can facilitate both within and transgenerational plasticity to cope with changing environments. However, epigenetic reprogramming (erasure and re-establishment of epigenetic marks) during gamete and early embryo development may hinder transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Most of our knowledge about reprogramming stems from mammals and model organisms, whereas the prevalence and extent of reprogramming among non-model species from wild populations is rarely investigated. Moreover, whether reprogramming dynamics are sensitive to changing environmental conditions is not well known, representing a key knowledge gap in the pursuit to identify mechanisms underlying links between parental exposure to changing climate patterns and environmentally adapted offspring phenotypes. Here, we investigated epigenetic reprogramming (DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation) and gene expression across gametogenesis and embryogenesis of marine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) under three ocean warming scenarios (ambient, +1.5 and +4 degrees C). We found that parental acclimation to ocean warming led to dynamic and temperature-sensitive reprogramming throughout offspring development. Both global methylation/hydroxymethylation and expression of genes involved in epigenetic modifications were strongly and differentially affected by the increased warming scenarios. Comparing transcriptomic profiles from gonads, mature gametes and early embryonic stages showed sexspecific accumulation and temperature sensitivity of several epigenetic actors. DNA methyltransferase induction was primarily maternally inherited (suggesting maternal control of remethylation), whereas induction of several histone-modifying enzymes was shaped by both parents. Importantly, massive, temperature-specific changes to the epigenetic landscape occurred in blastula, a critical stage for successful embryo development, which could, thus, translate to substantial consequences for offspring phenotype resilience in warming environments. In summary, our study identified key stages during gamete and embryo development with temperature-sensitive reprogramming and epigenetic gene regulation, reflecting potential 'windows of opportunity' for adaptive epigenetic responses under future climate change.
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