Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex multisystem metabolic and endocrine condition that manifests in genetically susceptible women following a range of negative exposures to nutritional and environmental factors related to contemporary lifestyle. Decades of research has characterized PCOS as a polygenic trait that results from interactions between the environment and susceptible genomic traits. PCOS is increasingly being viewed as an evolutionary mismatch disorder that arises following exposure to environmental factors that result in epigenetic modification of gene expression.
The mapping of the human genome in 2003 and the publication of the human haplotype map in 2005, opened the way for genome-wide association studies that identified susceptibility genes, and Mendelian randomization studies that explore the potential causative association between gene variants and PCOS. Epigenetic regulation of gene expression provides the molecular mechanisms for linking gene expression to lifestyle, diet, environmental and pharmaceutical modulators. Evidence suggests that epigenetic changes occur in gametes and
during prenatal developmental programming that predispose susceptible individuals to develop PCOS, when exposed to adverse lifestyle and environmental factors during childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
Epidemiological data support the concept that PCOS can be a progressive disorder with affected individuals having an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes, metabolic associated fatty liver disease, cardiometabolic disease and cancer. The cumulative lifetime impact of PCOS highlights the importance of promoting research to elaborate the epigenetic factors involved in the development of PCOS phenotypes.
This article collection aims to highlight current research on a wide range of topics related to the epigenetics of PCOS. We encourage authors to submit their contributions on (but not limited to) scientific, technology and bioinformatics, post-translational RNA epitranscriptome, molecular, epidemiological, metabolic, endocrine, and any other lifestyle, nutritional, environmental, nutraceutical or pharmaceutical research that may advance the understanding of epigenetic factors involved in the pathogenesis, maintenance and management of PCOS.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex multisystem metabolic and endocrine condition that manifests in genetically susceptible women following a range of negative exposures to nutritional and environmental factors related to contemporary lifestyle. Decades of research has characterized PCOS as a polygenic trait that results from interactions between the environment and susceptible genomic traits. PCOS is increasingly being viewed as an evolutionary mismatch disorder that arises following exposure to environmental factors that result in epigenetic modification of gene expression.
The mapping of the human genome in 2003 and the publication of the human haplotype map in 2005, opened the way for genome-wide association studies that identified susceptibility genes, and Mendelian randomization studies that explore the potential causative association between gene variants and PCOS. Epigenetic regulation of gene expression provides the molecular mechanisms for linking gene expression to lifestyle, diet, environmental and pharmaceutical modulators. Evidence suggests that epigenetic changes occur in gametes and
during prenatal developmental programming that predispose susceptible individuals to develop PCOS, when exposed to adverse lifestyle and environmental factors during childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
Epidemiological data support the concept that PCOS can be a progressive disorder with affected individuals having an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes, metabolic associated fatty liver disease, cardiometabolic disease and cancer. The cumulative lifetime impact of PCOS highlights the importance of promoting research to elaborate the epigenetic factors involved in the development of PCOS phenotypes.
This article collection aims to highlight current research on a wide range of topics related to the epigenetics of PCOS. We encourage authors to submit their contributions on (but not limited to) scientific, technology and bioinformatics, post-translational RNA epitranscriptome, molecular, epidemiological, metabolic, endocrine, and any other lifestyle, nutritional, environmental, nutraceutical or pharmaceutical research that may advance the understanding of epigenetic factors involved in the pathogenesis, maintenance and management of PCOS.
