The Influence of Environmental Factors on Gene Expression in Humans: A Contemporary Review
Recent scientific research has significantly advanced our understanding of how environmental factors can affect gene expression levels in humans. This blog post summarizes the latest findings from studies published after 2020, highlighting the intricate ways in which our environments interact with our genetic makeup to influence health and disease.
Ancestral and Environmental Interactions
A study by Benjamin et al. (2023) delves into the impact of genetic ancestry on gene expression and DNA methylation in African/Black Americans. This research underscores the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors, revealing that ancestry-associated differentially expressed genes are enriched for genes related to immune response and various diseases, including ischemic stroke and Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that these expression differences are significantly influenced by both genetic variations and environmental exposures (Benjamin et al., 2023).
Diet, Nutrition, and Gene Expression
Bonet and Palou (2020) emphasize the crucial role of diet and nutrition in regulating gene expression. Their research points to the significant interactions between dietary factors, metabolic status, and gene expression, demonstrating how nutrition can impact the regulation of genes through transcription factors and chromatin structure modifications (Bonet & Palou, 2020).
Environmental Degradation and Genetic Impacts
Mirsaidova, Iskandarova, and Sattarova (2023) explore the consequences of environmental degradation and climate change on human genetics. They highlight the effects of environmental pollution, radiation, and climate changes on gene expression, mutations, and genetic diversity. The article also discusses the role of epigenetics in mediating these environmental effects on human genetics, calling for more research into the interactions between the environment and genetics (Mirsaidova et al., 2023).
Gene–Environment Interactions and Disease Susceptibility
The review by Mbemi et al. (2020) presents an overview of gene–environment interactions and their influence on disease susceptibility, especially in relation to cancers. This study underscores the complex relationship between genetic polymorphisms, environmental stressors, and the susceptibility to various diseases, highlighting the importance of understanding these interactions in the context of chronic illness development (Mbemi et al., 2020).
Evolution and Context-Dependency of Genetic Effects
Lea, Peng, and Ayroles (2021) discuss the evolution and context-dependency of genetic effects on gene expression across different environments. Their research shows how environmental challenges and hormonal responses can shape the genetic architecture of gene expression, revealing an enriched evolutionary history of gene-environment interaction loci involved in immune responses and hormonal changes (Lea et al., 2021).
Conclusion
The evidence from recent studies illuminates the profound impact environmental factors have on gene expression in humans. These findings reinforce the notion that our genetic expression is not solely determined by our DNA sequence but is also significantly influenced by our surroundings, including diet, pollution, climate change, and other environmental stressors. Understanding these complex interactions is crucial for unraveling the mysteries of human health and disease.
Reference:
Benjamin, K., Chen, Q., Eagles, N., Huuki-Myers, L., Collado-Torres, L., Stolz, J., Shin, J., Paquola, A., Hyde, T., Kleinman, J., Jaffe, A., Han, S., & Weinberger, D. (2023). Genetic and environmental contributions to ancestry differences in gene expression in the human brain. bioRxiv.
Lea, A., Peng, J., & Ayroles, J. (2021). Diverse environmental perturbations reveal the evolution and context-dependency of genetic effects on gene expression levels. Genome Research, 32, 1826 - 1839.
Mirsaidova, K., Iskandarova, V., & Sattarova, Z. (2023). Studying the factors affecting human genetics due to environmental degradation and climate change. BIO Web of Conferences.
Mbemi, A., Khanna, S., Njiki, S., Yedjou, C. G., & Tchounwou, P. B. (2020). Impact of gene–environment interactions on cancer development. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(21), 8089.
