The Molecular Fingerprint Of Stress

Thanks to epigenetics, the discipline that studies changes in the genome produced by environmental factors and that are hereditary, we know that there are certain vital experiences that change our genetic code. One of those factors that is being studied and that changes the information predisposing to certain diseases is the molecular footprint of stress.

Stress is a feeling of physical and mental tension that, although it has a fundamental adaptive role as it puts the body on alert, can be very harmful to health. When we are stressed, adrenaline and cortisol levels increase, which in a state of overexposure alter the response of the immune system, the digestive system and other growth processes.

Thus, researchers around the world are studying whether these alterations are recorded in some way in our genetic information, modifying it and being able to be transmitted to our descendants.

The molecular footprint of stress

To investigate the molecular fingerprint of stress, a team from the Tufts University School of Medicine (EMUT) studied what happened in a generation line. Thus, they found that both children and grandchildren presented symptoms related to the stress that their predecessor had suffered.

On the other hand, the effect of post-traumatic stress has also been studied, especially in pregnant women and their children. In this sense, it has been seen that violence experienced during pregnancy causes the DNA of babies to have a different genomic activity. This is called methylation and consists of the genome reacting to the environment by turning some genes on or off.

This process is an evolutionary mechanism that facilitates the adaptation of the environment, therefore, it can be interpreted that the genetic information of the successor changes as an adaptive response, which may lead to more fearful or aggressive children.

Genetic heritage

It is well known that genes and the environment interact in a bidirectional way. Thus, a genetic factor can protect against environmental adversities, while an environmental factor can affect a genetic trait predisposing to a disease.

As mentioned above, it has been found that stress can change the functioning of the genome and even be transmitted from generation to generation. Among those aspects that stress can affect through the genome, are longevity and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Longevity

A study conducted by the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Scripps Research Institute identified a number of genes that can alter the response to stress and the effects on mood.

That is, they found that people who had suffered from significant stress or mood disorders showed a change in the expression levels of the ANK3 gene, related to premature aging and reduced longevity.

Cardiovascular diseases

Another study, led by Duke University, looked at the interaction of genes with the environment in relation to cardiovascular disease. In it they identified a genetic variant that increases the susceptibility of carriers to suffer from cardiovascular disease, as well as diabetes and obesity.

Interestingly, stress is related to these medical conditions, but in addition, according to this study, this predisposition could be genetically behaved. Specifically, those who have specific polymorphisms in the EBF1 gene are at higher risk.  And it is that this gene has a fundamental role in the development of the immune system.

In short, the molecular fingerprint of stress can not only determine the risk of suffering a disease in the future, but it is also transmissible and could influence the susceptibility of our descendants. For this reason, and to alleviate its short-term effects, it is important to know and internalize tools that help manage stress.