Metastable epialleles refer to loci with variable methylation states among individuals without underlying genetic differences. Although these loci have generally been assumed to be vulnerable to environmental influence, a new study reports their remarkable metastable epigenetic robustness toward a range of physiological, chemical and dietary disruptions in mammals.
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Bourc’his, D. Metastable epialleles are stable in their instability. Nat Genet 53, 1121–1123 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-021-00907-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-021-00907-x