A recent study has discovered that bacterial cells pass on memories to their offspring because they can ‘recall’ short-term changes in their environment and physical state. Although these changes are not written into the cell’s genetic code, the memories of them are passed on to offspring for several generations.
| Date | August 28, 2024 |
| Source | Northwestern University |
| Summary | Temporary stress can lead to inheritable changes without modifying genetics, study reveals |
If you want to know recent biology news like Bacterial cells pass on memories to their offspring: Smell prepares nematodes and the human gut to combat infections, Mantis Shrimp-Clam Relationship Challenges a Biological Principle, Injury Dressings in First-Aid Kits Can Identify Shark Species After Bite Incidents, Harnessing big data helps scientists home in on new antimicrobials, New geological datings place the first European hominids in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, A New Rule of Biology Focusing on Evolution and Aging.
Watch Another Bacteria’s Video Here
How bacterial cells pass on memories to their offspring
Bacterial cells can ‘recall’ brief, temporary changes to their environment and bodies, according to a study by Northwestern University and the University of Texas-Southwestern. Despite these changes not being encoded in the cells’ DNA, they are passed down to offspring for multiple generations.
This discovery challenges long-held beliefs about how simple organisms inherit traits and opens the door to potential medical applications. For instance, scientists could bypass antibiotic resistance by altering a harmful bacterium in a way that makes its descendants more vulnerable to treatment. The study, set to be published in Science Advances on August 28, demonstrates that heritable characteristics in bacteria can be determined by the regulatory relationships among genes, not just by DNA.
Lead researcher Adilson Motter from Northwestern University explained that changes in gene regulation can imprint lasting effects in a network, which are then passed to future generations. Using E. coli as a model, the researchers showed that temporary gene deactivations could trigger lasting alterations in gene regulation that persist through generations, even without DNA changes.
The team used mathematical models to simulate gene deactivation and reactivation, and they observed that these brief disruptions could result in lasting changes, likely inherited across generations. These effects could occur due to an irreversible chain reaction within the regulatory network. The researchers plan to validate these findings in lab experiments using a modified CRISPR technique.
Motter and his team suggest that non-genetic heritability may not be limited to E. coli, as similar regulatory networks exist in other organisms. The study, ‘Irreversibility in bacterial regulatory networks,’ was funded by the National Science Foundation.
FAQ:
1. What are bacterial cells?
Bacterial cells are microscopic, single-celled organisms that belong to the domain Bacteria. They are among the simplest and most ancient forms of life, existing in virtually every environment on Earth, from soil to water, and even inside other organisms.
2. How do bacteria store “memory”?
Bacterial memory can be stored through molecular changes within the cell. These changes can involve:
Genetic memory: Alterations in DNA, such as mutations or the acquisition of plasmids, that permanently change the bacterium’s capabilities.
Epigenetic memory: Chemical modifications of DNA or proteins that affect gene expression without altering the DNA sequence.
Protein-based memory: The presence or absence of specific proteins that influence cellular processes based on past conditions.
3. Can bacteria remember past exposures to antibiotics?
Yes, bacteria can “remember” past exposure to antibiotics. This can occur through:
Genetic mutations that confer resistance, allowing them to survive future exposures.
Regulatory changes where certain genes are upregulated or downregulated in response to previous antibiotic exposure, making the bacteria more prepared for future encounters with the antibiotic.