Cited by 1,239Epigenetics and DNA MethylationBirth, Development, and HealthNeuroendocrine regulation and behavior

Epigenetics and the biological definition of gene×environment interactions

Meaney, Michael J·2010·Child Development

Abstract

Variations in phenotype reflect the influence of environmental conditions during development on cellular functions, including that of the genome. The recent integration of epigenetics into developmental psychobiology illustrates the processes by which environmental conditions in early life structurally alter DNA, providing a physical basis for the influence of the perinatal environmental signals on phenotype over the life of the individual. This review focuses on the enduring effects of naturally occurring variations in maternal care on gene expression and phenotype to provide an example of environmentally driven plasticity at the level of the DNA, revealing the interdependence of gene and environmental in the regulation of phenotype.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01381.x

Cites

288 of 288 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Through stress physiology, the feedback system extends to the genetic level to influence gene expression.

    “Through stress physiology, the feedback system extends to the genetic level to influence gene expression”
  • Epigenetic processes begin before conception via parental experiences and contribute to the transmission of behaviors and experiences to future generations.

    “This process begins before conception (via parental experiences) and contributes to the transmission of behaviors and experiences to future generations (e.g., Keating, 2016;Meaney, 2010)”
  • Intergenerational transmission of behavior or risk can be viewed as cascade effects linking multiple generations and multiple behaviors or levels of analysis.

    “Intergenerational transmission of behavior (mediated by genes, experience, and their interplay) or risk can also be viewed as cascade effects linking multiple generations and multiple behaviors or levels of analysis (Meaney, 2010).”

    From Developmental cascades (2010) · cites this paper as Meaney, 2010

  • In rats, relatively low-quality maternal care alters pups' stress physiology and brain morphology.

    “relatively low quality maternal care in the rat (i.e., low levels of maternal licking and grooming) alters pups’ stress physiology and brain morphology.”

    From The Adaptive Calibration Model of stress responsivity (2011) · cites this paper as Meaney, 2010

  • In the rodent model, variations in stress physiology and brain morphology appear to be strategic, functional ways of developing under different rearing conditions.

    “variations in stress physiology and brain morphology apparently represent strategic – that is, functional – ways of developing under different rearing conditions”

    From The Adaptive Calibration Model of stress responsivity (2011) · cites this paper as Meaney, 2010

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Authors
Meaney, M. J.
Affiliations
McGill University (CA)
Corresponding author
Meaney, Michael J
Venue
Child Development
Published
2010-01-01
Volume
81
Issue
1
Pages
41-79
ISSN
  • 0009-3920 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-8624
OpenAlex
W2128782957
Cited by
1,239
References
287
Citations by year
2026: 57 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 35 · 2021: 41 · 2020: 151 · 2019: 65 · 2018: 75 · 2017: 84 · 2016: 98 · 2015: 122 · 2014: 111 · 2013: 97 · 2012: 96
FWCI
8.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Child Development (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Birth, Development, and Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
Keywords
epigenetics, gene-environment interaction, maternal care, early life environment, DNA methylation, gene expression, phenotypic plasticity, developmental psychobiology, perinatal environment
MeSH terms
Child, Child Development, Critical Period, Psychological, DNA, Humans, Maternal Behavior, Phenotype, Social Environment, Genome, Human, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Epigenesis, Genetic

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