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BOR - Papers in Press, published online ahead of print April 9, 2008.
Biol Reprod 2008, 10.1095/biolreprod.107.065607
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BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION 79, 2–8 (2008)
DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.107.065607
© 2008 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.

Heredity—Venturing Beyond Genetics

Marie-Christine Maurel 1 2 and Colette Kanellopoulos-Langevin 3

Laboratoire de Biochimie de l'Evolution et Adaptabilité Moléculaire2 and Laboratoire des Régulations Immunitaires et Développement, Institut Jacques-Monod,3 UMR 7592, CNRS and Universités Paris 6 and 7, 75251 Paris Cedex 05, France

ABSTRACT

Our knowledge of heredity has recently undergone major upheaval. Heredity transmits considerably more than just genetic elements. First, the oocyte is full of maternal cytoplasmic components that subsequently are present in each new cell. Second, maternal cells can pass to the progeny, where they remain active into adult life (microchimerism). Here, we examine the notion that the transmission of characters involves at least two processes in addition to that of mendelian heredity, long considered to be the only hereditary mechanism. These processes all involve epigenetic processes, including the transmission of macromolecules, subcellular organelles, and living cells solely from the mother to her offspring, whether female or male, during pregnancy and lactation. We postulate that cytoplasmic heredity and maternal transmission of cells leading to a long-term state of microchimerism in progeny are two good examples of matrilineal, nonmendelian heredity. A mother's important contribution to the development and health of her progeny seems to possess many uncharted depths.

cytoplasmic heredity, developmental biology, heredity, immunology, maternal-fetal exchanges, microchimerism, pregnancy

Correspondence: 1Marie-Christine Maurel, Laboratoire de Biochimie de l'Evolution et Adaptabilité Moléculaire, UMR 7592, CNRS and Universités Paris 6 and 7, Tour 43, 2 place Jussieu, 75251 Paris Cedex 05, France. FAX: 33 1 4427 9916; e-mail: maurel{at}ijm.jussieu.fr






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Copyright © 2008 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction.