Meeting Abstract

S1.1-3  Saturday, Jan. 4 09:00  Epigenetic Responses in Caenorhabditis elegans PADILLA, Pamela*; GARCIA, Anastasia; LADAGE, Mary; TONI, Lee; University of North Texas; University of North Texas; University of North Texas; University of North Texas pamela.padilla@unt.edu

Inheritance and phenotypic traits are regulated by genotype and epigenetic mechanisms. Through the analysis of various genetic model systems many genes and alleles regulating biological processes have been elucidated. However, what is less understood are the epigenetic changes associated with specific biological processes. Epigenetic molecular mechanisms that regulate gene expression and thus phenotypes include post-translational modifications of histones, activation and regulation of non-coding RNAs, and the methylation of specific DNA sites. These changes grant plasticity to an otherwise rigid genome allowing an alternative response to environmental stimuli. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been used extensively to understand the molecular mechanisms regulating many biological processes including development, germline function, lifespan and responses to environmental stress. Through the efforts of many in the scientific community the genetic mechanisms regulating these biological processes, in terms of gene function, has been investigated. Less understood are the epigenetic changes, which regulate specific genetic pathways, are associated with biological processes such as environmental stress responses, development and aging in metazoans. Here, we survey some recent examples of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in C. elegans and describe approaches used to study this phenomenon in a well-known developmental genetic model system.