Dissolved humic substances initiate DNA-methylation in cladocerans.

DNA-methylation is one pathway of epigenetic programming of gene expression and can be responsive to environmental challenges such as methylating agents in the food. Here we report on the DNA-methylation in the cladocerans Daphnia magna and Moina macrocopa exposed to humic substances, ubiquitous biogeochemicals. The methylation of DNA can alter the stress response, presumably including exposure to synthetic xenobiotic chemicals. Copyright Â