Environmental Factor Index (EFI): A Novel Approach to Measure the Strength of Environmental Influence on DNA Methylation in Identical Twins
Background/Objectives: The dynamic interaction between genomic DNA, epigenetic modifications, and phenotypic traits was examined in identical twins. Environmental perturbations can induce epigenetic changes in DNA methylation, influencing gene expression and phenotypes. Although DNA methylation medi...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Epigenomes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4655/8/4/44 |
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| author | Yoichi Takenaka Osaka Twin Research Group Mikio Watanabe |
| author_facet | Yoichi Takenaka Osaka Twin Research Group Mikio Watanabe |
| author_sort | Yoichi Takenaka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background/Objectives: The dynamic interaction between genomic DNA, epigenetic modifications, and phenotypic traits was examined in identical twins. Environmental perturbations can induce epigenetic changes in DNA methylation, influencing gene expression and phenotypes. Although DNA methylation mediates gene-environment correlations, the quantitative effects of external factors on DNA methylation remain underexplored. This study aimed to quantify these effects using a novel approach. Methods: A cohort study was conducted on healthy monozygotic twins to evaluate the influence of environmental stimuli on DNA methylation. We developed the Environmental Factor Index (EFI) to identify methylation sites showing statistically significant changes in response to environmental stimuli. We analyzed the identified sites for associations with disorders, DNA methylation markers, and CpG islands. Results: The EFI identified methylation sites that exhibited significant associations with genes linked to various disorders, particularly cancer. These sites were overrepresented on CpG islands compared to other genomic features, highlighting their regulatory importance. Conclusions: The EFI is a valuable tool for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis. It provides insights into the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies and offers a new perspective on the role of environmental factors in epigenetic regulation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d606b2bbfa544113838ee4b4f425b28c |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2075-4655 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Epigenomes |
| spelling | doaj-art-d606b2bbfa544113838ee4b4f425b28c2025-08-20T02:00:33ZengMDPI AGEpigenomes2075-46552024-11-01844410.3390/epigenomes8040044Environmental Factor Index (EFI): A Novel Approach to Measure the Strength of Environmental Influence on DNA Methylation in Identical TwinsYoichi Takenaka0Osaka Twin Research Group1Mikio Watanabe2Faculty of Informatics, Kansai University, Osaka 569-1052, JapanCenter for Twin Research, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Osaka, Osaka 565-0871, JapanCenter for Twin Research, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Osaka, Osaka 565-0871, JapanBackground/Objectives: The dynamic interaction between genomic DNA, epigenetic modifications, and phenotypic traits was examined in identical twins. Environmental perturbations can induce epigenetic changes in DNA methylation, influencing gene expression and phenotypes. Although DNA methylation mediates gene-environment correlations, the quantitative effects of external factors on DNA methylation remain underexplored. This study aimed to quantify these effects using a novel approach. Methods: A cohort study was conducted on healthy monozygotic twins to evaluate the influence of environmental stimuli on DNA methylation. We developed the Environmental Factor Index (EFI) to identify methylation sites showing statistically significant changes in response to environmental stimuli. We analyzed the identified sites for associations with disorders, DNA methylation markers, and CpG islands. Results: The EFI identified methylation sites that exhibited significant associations with genes linked to various disorders, particularly cancer. These sites were overrepresented on CpG islands compared to other genomic features, highlighting their regulatory importance. Conclusions: The EFI is a valuable tool for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis. It provides insights into the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies and offers a new perspective on the role of environmental factors in epigenetic regulation.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4655/8/4/44epigeneticsDNA methylationenvironmental factorstwin study |
| spellingShingle | Yoichi Takenaka Osaka Twin Research Group Mikio Watanabe Environmental Factor Index (EFI): A Novel Approach to Measure the Strength of Environmental Influence on DNA Methylation in Identical Twins Epigenomes epigenetics DNA methylation environmental factors twin study |
| title | Environmental Factor Index (EFI): A Novel Approach to Measure the Strength of Environmental Influence on DNA Methylation in Identical Twins |
| title_full | Environmental Factor Index (EFI): A Novel Approach to Measure the Strength of Environmental Influence on DNA Methylation in Identical Twins |
| title_fullStr | Environmental Factor Index (EFI): A Novel Approach to Measure the Strength of Environmental Influence on DNA Methylation in Identical Twins |
| title_full_unstemmed | Environmental Factor Index (EFI): A Novel Approach to Measure the Strength of Environmental Influence on DNA Methylation in Identical Twins |
| title_short | Environmental Factor Index (EFI): A Novel Approach to Measure the Strength of Environmental Influence on DNA Methylation in Identical Twins |
| title_sort | environmental factor index efi a novel approach to measure the strength of environmental influence on dna methylation in identical twins |
| topic | epigenetics DNA methylation environmental factors twin study |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4655/8/4/44 |
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