Figure 3. Cell division and cell-to-cell fusion propagate stress response to descendants.
A. Anti-stress proteins, mRNAs and miRNAs are passed on to daughter cells during cell division. B. Asymmetrical segregation of damaged molecules generates a ‘damage-protected’ daughter cell at the expense of the mother cell’s being burdened with more damage. C. Sperm carrying miRNAs produced as a result of stress-induction transmits the stress signal to an oocyte during fertilization.