Can Diseases and Traits Caused by Lifestyle and Other Factors Be Passed Through Generations? Exploring the Mysteries of Epigenetics
Dr. Yuta Takahashi, Associate Professor,
International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS)
We spoke with Associate Professor Yuta Takahashi from the International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS). His research focuses on whether chemical modifications in genes —known as "epigenetics"— caused by lifestyle and environmental changes can be inherited by the next generation. We asked him about his latest research, which seeks to unravel the mysteries of heredity and evolution.
Do we inherit not only our physical characteristics but also our lifestyle habits?
Studying the mystery behind disease risk and heredity.
What kind of research are you doing?My research focuses on the question of whether epigenetic information is passed from parents to their children across generations.
The human body is made up of approximately 100 trillion cells. Each cell has a nucleus that contains the genome’s DNA. The genome consists of sequences of four bases—A, T, G, and C— which are often referred to as the blueprint of life.
Epigenetics refers to chemical modifications attached to DNA. These modifications control whether specific genes are activated or suppressed. There are various types of epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, all of which are collectively known as epigenetic modifications.
Our cells all have the same information inherited from our parents. However, depending on the cell, it may become skin, hair, eyes, liver, or kidney. This means that something is controlling which genes are used, how much they are used, and when they are activated. That "something" is epigenetic modification.
Epigenetic modifications can be added or removed. That's why it is sometimes compared to a sticky note. For example, our bodies can adjust gene expression in response to environmental changes, helping us adapt and maintain homeostasis. Unlike genetic mutations, which permanently alter DNA sequences, epigenetic changes allow us to fine-tune how our genes function in response to our surroundings.
Figure: Epigenetic modification controlling gene activity
You discovered that this epigenetic modification could be passed down through generations!
Another important element of research is genetics. Traits, such as physical appearance and height, are largely determined by the genomic DNA sequences inherited from the mother and father. Similarly, if a parent carries a genetic mutation that increases disease risk, their child may inherit a predisposition to that disease.
But can epigenetic information be passed down to children? This has been a long-standing question. Unlike DNA sequences, epigenetic modifications can change due to environmental factors, such as poor lifestyle habits or stress. If these changes were inherited, it would suggest that the epigenetic effects of a parent's lifestyle might be passed on to their children.
For years, it was believed that epigenetic information was not inherited in mammals. The reason was a process called epigenetic reprogramming—a mechanism that erases epigenetic modifications in sperm and egg cells before they develop into a new organism. This process was thought to prevent the inheritance of epigenetic changes.
Is epigenetic information really not inherited?
We have started research to resolve this question.
Despite this, you continued your research. Why?
In fact, there have been cases suggesting that epigenetic inheritance may have occurred. For example, abnormal epigenetic modifications in genes related to DNA repair have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. In one study, a mother with such modifications developed cancers, and the same abnormal modifications were found in her children’s DNA. This suggested that the abnormal modifications somehow escaped the reprogramming process and were passed down. However, epigenetic modifications can also occur in conjunction with changes in the DNA sequence. In this case, the possibility that epigenetic information is passed on to the child along with the DNA sequences cannot be excluded. It was crucial to determine whether epigenetic information can be passed down from generation to generation without being affected by DNA.
If there was a technique that could artificially induce epigenetic modifications in ordinary DNA without changing the DNA sequence, it would be possible to investigate whether these modifications could be passed down through generations. This was the starting point for our research.
In our prior studies, we developed a technique to induce chemical modifications in targeted genes. Using this technique, we created epigenetically modified mice to investigate whether epigenetic modifications could be inherited across generations. Our finding suggested that epigenetics could indeed be passed down.
Darwin’s theory of evolution suggests that genetic mutations occurring naturally serve as the driving force behind evolution. In contrast, the scientist Lamarck proposed that traits acquired through an organism's experiences could be inherited, leading to evolutionary changes over generations. If epigenetic information can be inherited, it raises the possibility that a parent's experiences and environmental conditions during their lifetime might influence their offspring's traits. If this is the case, epigenetics could play a significant role in the process of evolution itself.
Have you always been interested in epigenetics?
I have been interested in gene expression regulation since my graduate school days. After earning my Ph.D., I conducted research at the Salk Institute in San Diego, USA, a world-leading lab in fields such as iPS cells and genome editing. At the Salk Institute, I wanted to work on a novel and impactful research theme. Given my background, I decided to focus on editing epigenetics—an area with significant potential for discovery.
Photo: Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte Laboratory, Salk Institute, where Dr. Takahashi studied abroad
What do you find most rewarding about research?
The thrill of discovering something completely unknown. To me, research is about expanding human knowledge, even if just a little. I don’t want to simply follow in others' footsteps—I strive to make new discoveries. The most exciting moment in research is when you learn something that no one knew the day before.
Epigenetics in our daily lives.
I want to prove its role in disease and development.
What’s next for your research?
We have successfully demonstrated that epigenetic inheritance occurs in mice. The next step is to investigate whether this phenomenon also occurs in humans. Many diseases exhibit familial risk patterns, yet genome sequencing often fails to pinpoint the exact genetic cause. If epigenetic inheritance plays a role, it could offer new insights into the origins of hereditary diseases.
Our IRCMS provides access to cutting-edge equipment and fosters an international research environment. By leveraging my global network of researchers in Japan and abroad, I hope to uncover even more groundbreaking findings.
Ultimately, my goal is to expand human knowledge. True discoveries come from pursuing unique ideas with persistence. By steadily building upon our work, I believe we will achieve significant breakthroughs.
Please give a message to the students.
I want you to believe that anything you discover has the potential to change the world. If you don’t hold onto that belief while you’re young, your dreams may never be realized. I want you to spread your wings and fly around the world. “Ohtani” is not just a baseball star —there are countless “Ohtani”s in every field. Believe that you, too, can reach great heights. Chase your ambitions as far as they will take you.
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