The epigenome can accumulate variations over time which may be induced spontaneously or in response to environmental factors. Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications is being considered to be a molecular substrate for the impact of the endogenous and exogenous environmental agents (Petronis, 2006). The accumulation of epigenetic variation depends on intrinsic factors like the hereditary genome, extrinsic factors such as environmental and stochastic factors, and relative contribution of the two types of factor has been a matter of debate for decades. Chemical pollutants, temperature changes, dietary components and other external stresses can indeed have long-lasting effects on development, metabolism and health, sometimes even continuing into subsequent generations.
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Although the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown, particularly in humans, mechanistic insights are emerging from experimental model systems which will have implications for structuring future research and understanding disease and development (Feil & Fraga,
Although the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown, particularly in humans, mechanistic insights are emerging from experimental model systems which will have implications for structuring future research and understanding disease and development (Feil & Fraga,