DNA methylation is a stable and heritable epigenetic mechanism, of which the main functions are stabilizing the transcription of genes and promoting genetic conservation. In animals, the direct molecular inducers of DNA methylation mainly include histone covalent modification and non-coding RNA, whereas the fundamental regulators of DNA methylation are genetic and environmental factors. As is well known, competition is present everywhere in life systems, and will finally strike a balance that is optimal for the animal’s survival and reproduction. The same goes for the regulation of DNA methylation. Genetic and environmental factors, respectively, are responsible for the programmed and plasticity changes of DNA methylation, and keen competition exists between genetically influenced procedural remodeling and environmentally influenced plastic alteration. In this process, genetic and environmental factors collaboratively decide the methylation patterns of corresponding loci. DNA methylation alterations induced by environmental factors can be transgenerationally inherited, and exhibit the characteristic of Lamarckian inheritance. Further research on regulatory mechanisms and the environmental plasticity of DNA methylation will provide strong support for understanding the biological function and evolutionary effects of DNA methylation.

DNA甲基化是一种稳定、可遗传的表观遗传机制，其主要功能是稳定基因转录和促进遗传保守。在动物中，DNA甲基化的直接分子诱导因子主要包括组蛋白共价修饰和非编码RNA，而DNA甲基化的基本调节因子是遗传和环境因素。众所周知，竞争在生命系统中无处不在，最终会达到一种最有利于动物生存和繁殖的平衡。DNA甲基化的调节也是如此。遗传和环境因素分别负责 DNA 甲基化的程序性和可塑性变化，遗传影响的程序重塑和环境影响的塑料改变之间存在激烈的竞争。在这个过程中，遗传和环境因素共同决定了相应基因座的甲基化模式。环境因素引起的DNA甲基化改变可以跨代遗传，具有拉马克遗传的特征。进一步研究DNA甲基化的调控机制和环境可塑性，将为理解DNA甲基化的生物学功能和进化效应提供有力支持。并表现出拉马克遗传的特点。进一步研究DNA甲基化的调控机制和环境可塑性，将为理解DNA甲基化的生物学功能和进化效应提供有力支持。并表现出拉马克遗传的特点。进一步研究DNA甲基化的调控机制和环境可塑性，将为理解DNA甲基化的生物学功能和进化效应提供有力支持。