Early-life nutrition modulates the epigenetic state of specific rDNA genetic variants in mice

Mom's diet affects growth Nutrition is important during development. This appears to be true even in utero, with potential long-lasting effects on adult phenotype and disease. Epigenetic factors are prime suspects in identifying the corresponding molecular mechanism because they can be maintained throughout cell division. Holland et al. show in mice that in utero nutritional deficits influence offspring growth through epigenetic states at multicopy ribosomal DNA elements. This effect is influenced by the genetic variation that naturally exists within the ribosomal RNA. Science , this issue p. 495