Chromatin-associated effectors of energy-sensing pathways mediate intergenerational effects

Abstract

Environmental stimuli experienced by the parental generation influence the phenotype of subsequent generations. The effects of these stimuli on the parental generation may be passed through the germline, but the mechanisms of this non-Mendelian type of inheritance are poorly known. Here we show that modulation of nutrient-sensing pathways in the parental generation of a nematode (Auanema freiburgensis) regulates phenotypic plasticity of its offspring. In response to pheromones, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and insulin signaling regulate stress resistance and sex determination across a generation. The effectors of these pathways are closely associated with the chromatin and their regulation affects the acetylation chromatin status in the germline. These results suggest that highly conserved metabolic sensors regulate phenotypic plasticity by changing the epigenetic status of the germline.

The contribution of an X chromosome QTL to non-Mendelian inheritance and unequal chromosomal segregation in Auanema freiburgense

“…In uncrowded conditions, A. freiburgense hermaphrodites produce mostly female and male progeny ( Zuco et al 2018 ; Robles et al 2020 ). Auanema freiburgense dauer larvae invariably develop into self-fertilizing hermaphrodite adults ( Kanzaki et al 2017 ; Zuco et al 2018 ).…”

The contribution of an X chromosome QTL to non-Mendelian inheritance and unequal chromosomal segregation inA. freiburgense

“…However, this mechanism is unlikely to be the case for high male production in A. freiburgense, given that all lines with transgressive phenotypes are inbred and therefore likely to be homozygous in most loci. Furthermore, the parental inbred strains APS7 and APS14, which were originally derived from the outbred strains SB372 [18,39] and JU1782 [29,40] respectively, did not show transgressive phenotypes during the process of inbreeding.…”

“…In uncrowded conditions, A. freiburgense hermaphrodites produce mostly female and male progeny [29,40]. A. freiburgense dauer larvae invariantly develop into selffertilizing hermaphrodite adults [18,29].…”