Current evidence for a role of epigenetic mechanisms in response to ionizing radiation in an ecotoxicological context

Horemans, Nele; Spurgeon, David J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3264-8760; Lecomte-Pradines, Catherine; Saenen, Eline; Bradshaw, Clare; Oughton, Deborah; Rasnaca, Ilze; Kamstra, Jorke H.; Adam-Guillermin, Christelle. 2019 Current evidence for a role of epigenetic mechanisms in response to ionizing radiation in an ecotoxicological context. Environmental Pollution, 251. 469-483. 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.125

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.125

Abstract/Summary

The issue of potential long-term or hereditary effects for both humans and wildlife exposed to low doses (or dose rates) of ionising radiation is a major concern. Chronic exposure to ionising radiation, defined as an exposure over a large fraction of the organism's lifespan or even over several generations, can possibly have consequences in the progeny. Recent work has begun to show that epigenetics plays an important role in adaptation of organisms challenged to environmental stimulae. Changes to so-called epigenetic marks such as histone modifications, DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs result in altered transcriptomes and proteomes, without directly changing the DNA sequence. Moreover, some of these environmentally-induced epigenetic changes tend to persist over generations, and thus, epigenetic modifications are regarded as the conduits for environmental influence on the genome. Here, we review the current knowledge of possible involvement of epigenetics in the cascade of responses resulting from environmental exposure to ionising radiation. In addition, from a comparison of lab and field obtained data, we investigate evidence on radiation-induced changes in the epigenome and in particular the total or locus specific levels of DNA methylation. The challenges for future research and possible use of changes as an early warning (biomarker) of radiosensitivity and individual exposure is discussed. Such a biomarker could be used to detect and better understand the mechanisms of toxic action and inter/intra-species susceptibility to radiation within an environmental risk assessment and management context.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.125
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Pollution (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	0269-7491
Additional Keywords:	epigenetic marks, radioecology, DNA methylation, gamma radiation, chronic exposure, multi-transgenerational, wildlife, Chernobyl, Fukushima, nuclear accidents
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	16 Jul 2019 09:37 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/524305

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.125

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Pollution (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

0269-7491

Additional Keywords:

epigenetic marks, radioecology, DNA methylation, gamma radiation, chronic exposure, multi-transgenerational, wildlife, Chernobyl, Fukushima, nuclear accidents

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment

Date made live:

16 Jul 2019 09:37 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/524305