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Importance of Genomic Imprinting in the Evolution and Development of the Maternal Brain

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Multiple Origins of Sex Differences in Brain

Part of the book series: Research and Perspectives in Endocrine Interactions ((RPEI))

Abstract

It was the French reproductive biologist, Alfred Jost (1970), who proposed that mammalian sexual differentiation is biased in a female direction and masculine characteristics are imposed on an essentially female life plan. The reproductive success of mammals places a considerable burden of time and energy on the matriline, with some 95 % of female adult life committed to pregnancy, lactation and maternal care. Viviparity has thus provided a major selection pressure on the matriline in the evolution of these events and with particular emphasis on the placenta and hypothalamus. Increased maternal feeding, maternal care, suspension of fertility and sexual behaviour, parturition and milk provision are all integral to hypothalamic function and have evolved under the influence of the placental hormones to meet the demands of the developing infant (Keverne 2006). Viviparity has also introduced a new dimension to evolutionary genetics in providing the co-existence and continuity for three generations of matrilineal genomes (i.e., mother, developing offspring and developing oocytes) in one individual (Keverne 2011). Also unique to the mammalian matriline has been the evolution of epigenetic marks (imprint control regions) which are heritable and undergo reprogramming to regulate gene expression according to parent of origin. This imprinting of autosomal genes (genomic imprinting) plays a significant role in mammalian development, particularly development of the placenta and hypothalamus (Keverne 2009). Indeed, a number of imprinted genes are co-expressed in the placenta and hypothalamus and are important for the co-adapted functioning of these structures. Such transgenerational co-adaptation ensures the foetal hypothalamus is genetically and epigenetically programmed for ensuring optimal maternal care and nurturing (Broad and Keverne 2011). In this way the foetus not only controls its own destiny via the placenta but also that of the next generation via the developing hypothalamus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sub-Department of Animal Behaviour, University of Cambridge, Madingley, Cambridge, UK

    Barry E. Keverne

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  1. Barry E. Keverne
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Correspondence to Barry E. Keverne .

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  1. , Lab. of Biochem. and Molec. Biology, The Rockefeller University, York Avenue 1230, New York, 10065, New York, USA

    Donald W. Pfaff

  2. Fondation Ipsen, Quai George Gorse 65, Boulogne Billancourt, 92650, France

    Yves Christen

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Keverne, B.E. (2013). Importance of Genomic Imprinting in the Evolution and Development of the Maternal Brain. In: Pfaff, D., Christen, Y. (eds) Multiple Origins of Sex Differences in Brain. Research and Perspectives in Endocrine Interactions. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-33721-5_2

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