A mechanism of inheritance of acquired traits in animals

Dev Biol. 2021 Jul:475:106-117. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.03.004. Epub 2021 Mar 17.

Abstract

Observational and experimental evidence for the inheritance of acquired traits in animals is slowly, but steadily accumulating. The onset and transmission of acquired traits implies the acquisition and transmission from parents to progeny of new information, which is different from the genetic information contained in DNA. The new non-genetic information most commonly is passed on from parents to the offspring via gamete(s), but how it is precisely transmitted to the successive generations is still unknown. Based on adequate empirical evidence presented herein, a hypothesis is proposed of the inheritance of acquired traits in animals and the flow of the relevant parental information to the offspring.

Keywords: Acquired traits; Brain; Hormones; Neural signals; Transgenerational plasticity; miRNAs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA Methylation / physiology
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / physiology
  • Gene Expression / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Germ Cells
  • Heredity / physiology*
  • Inheritance Patterns / physiology*
  • Phenotype

Substances

  • DNA