Dissecting the (epi)genetic origins of phenotypic variation and metabolic disease susceptibility

Project Information

DismantlingNoise

Grant agreement ID: 682679

DOI

10.3030/682679

Project terminated on 30 November 2018

EC signature date 28 September 2016

Start date 1 January 2017

End date 31 December 2021

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 1 997 853,00

EU contribution

€ 1 997 853,00

Coordinated by

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - DismantlingNoise (Dissecting the (epi)genetic origins of phenotypic variation and metabolic disease susceptibility)

Reporting period: 2018-07-01 to 2019-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

In this project, I proposed three aims dedicated towards understanding how different each one of us could have been. Our focus was the metabolic disease context but its relevance extends far beyond that. The prevalence of obesity is predicted to be 1 billion by the year 2030. As a critical risk factor for heart disease, diabetes and stroke, obesity represents one of the chief socio-economic challenges of our day. While we understand the genetic underpinnings of obesity with increasing robustness, important regulatory layers, and in particular non-genetic regulation, remain poorly understood. A perfect example, we know that genetically identical mice can vary by as much as 100% in body weight when fed a high fat diet; currently, we have no mechanistic explanation for the emergence of such phenotypic variation. Our first goal was to catalogue epigenome and phenome variation to an unprecedented depth and resolution in the isogenic context. We aimed also to examine two completely novel models of epigenetically sensitized obesity and thus begin a mechanistic dissection of this phenotypic variation. And finally, we began mapping a series of gene-gene and gene-environment epistasis interactions including eight models of developmental plasticity and approximately a dozen chromatin regulator mutants. The latter epistasis matrix was geared to help identify the molecular mechanisms that trigger, amplify and buffer phenotypic variation and stochastic obesity in mice and will continue through other funding channels in the future.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

As indicated above, our first goal was to catalogue epigenome and phenome variation to an unprecedented depth and resolution. Because of the premature termination of the grant, this goal, which was to rely heavily upon a 3rd party sub-contract with the German and French mouse clinics was never initiated. Pilot studies did however reveal the value of such an effort in the future through the identification of reproducible subclusters of epigenetically variable animals. We also aimed to examine two completely novel models of epigenetically sensitized bi-stable obesity and thus begin a mechanistic dissection of phenotypic variation. One of these lead to the discovery of a brand new murine/mammalian polyphenism where the atypical morph displays a stark gigantism, attaining lean mass ~ 15% larger than normal, and approximately 25% additional fat mass. Similar findings we believe may contribute substantially to the current epidemic of obesity and related metabolic disease, particularly in children. Finally, we began mapping a series of gene-gene and gene-environment epistasis interactions including eight models of developmental plasticity and approximately a dozen chromatin regulator mutants. These efforts lead to the identification of strong parental and genetic dependencies and establish a framework for future focused genetic dissection of variation. Again because of the highly premature termination of the grant the latter two goals were truncated and there was insufficient data or time to disseminate the preliminary data obtained thus far. These projects will ultimately continue, albeit delayed for lack of dedicated funding.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

N/A. The project was prematurely terminated at a stage where all data were still preliminary.