Research Proposed: Further study into the Pathway Downstream Sperm miR212/132 in EE-induced Phenotype Inheritance

Abstract

It has been shown that some environmental factors can lead to changes in an organism’s genetic materials and, therefore, be inherited by the following generations. This inheritance form shows evolutionary and clinical implications, suggesting value for research. In a previous study (Benito, 2018), it has been proved that miR212/132 plays an important role in mediating Environmental Enrichment (EE)-induced phenotype inheritance. Proposing for further research, this article aims at studying the pathway downstream of miR212/132. Two targets of miR212/132, Dnmt3a and Rsf1, are considered possible downstream factors, and some changes in DNA methylation or histone modification are regarded as possible downstream effects that lead to EE phenotype in offspring. Experiments are designed accordingly.