Regulation of Flowering Time by Histone Acetylation in Arabidopsis

SWP1 negatively regulates lateral root initiation and elongation in Arabidopsis

The main root and continuously emerging lateral roots constitute the root architecture of an adult plant during its postembryonic development. Epigenetic modifications like methylation or deacetylation of histones have been suggested to regulate root development. SWP1/LDL1, a component of plant specific corepressor complex, has been implicated in the induction of flowers and root through histone modifications in Arabidopsis. However, molecular role of SWP1 in regulating the lateral root development remained unexplored. Here we show that SWP1 regulates lateral root initiation and elongation in Arabidopsis. Mutation in SWP1 increases both the density and length of lateral roots. SWP1 negatively regulates lateral root initiation through direct/indirect transcriptional repression of lateral root promoting factors, such as AUXIN RESPONSE FACTORS (ARFs) and GATA23.

Cold stress selectively unsilences tandem repeats in heterochromatin associated with accumulation of H3K9ac

Knobs are cytologically observable major interstitial heterochromatin present on maize nuclei, which consist of highly tandem-repetitive elements that are always silenced. Here we investigated the genome-wide change of H3K9ac, an active chromatin mark, during cold stress using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) and identified differential cold-induced H3K9ac enrichment at repetitive sequences in maize. More detailed analysis of two knob-associated tandem-repetitive sequences, 180-bp and TR-1, demonstrated that cold activated their transcription and this cold-induced transcriptional activation of repetitive sequences is selective, transient, and associated with an increase in H3K9ac and a reduction in DNA methylation and H3K9me2. Furthermore, knob sequence expression is accompanied by localized chromatin remodelling and silencing is recovered upon prolonged treatment. In addition, no evidence of copy number change and rearrangement of these repetitive elements are found in plants subjected to cold stress. These results suggest that cold-mediated unsilencing of heterochromatic tandem-repeated sequences, accompanied with epigenetic regulation, might play an important role in the adaptation of plants to cold stimuli.

Flowering time modulation by a vacuolar SNARE via FLOWERING LOCUS C in Arabidopsis thaliana

The transition of plant growth from vegetative to reproductive phases is one of the most important and dramatic events during the plant life cycle. In Arabidopsis thaliana, flowering promotion involves at least four genetically defined regulatory pathways, including the photoperiod-dependent, vernalization-dependent, gibberellin-dependent, and autonomous promotion pathways. Among these regulatory pathways, the vernalization-dependent and autonomous pathways are integrated by the expression of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), a negative regulator of flowering; however, the upstream regulation of this locus has not been fully understood. The SYP22 gene encodes a vacuolar SNARE protein that acts in vacuolar and endocytic trafficking pathways. Loss of SYP22 function was reported to lead to late flowering in A. thaliana plants, but the mechanism has remained completely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that the late flowering phenotype of syp22 was due to elevated expression of FLC caused by impairment of the autonomous pathway. In addition, we investigated the DOC1/BIG pathway, which is also suggested to regulate vacuolar/endosomal trafficking. We found that elevated levels of FLC transcripts accumulated in the doc1-1 mutant, and that syp22 phenotypes were exaggerated with a double syp22 doc1-1 mutation. We further demonstrated that the elevated expression of FLC was suppressed by ara6-1, a mutation in the gene encoding plant-unique Rab GTPase involved in endosomal trafficking. Our results indicated that vacuolar and/or endocytic trafficking is involved in the FLC regulation of flowering time in A. thaliana.

Comparative Analysis of SWIRM Domain-Containing Proteins in Plants

Chromatin-remodeling complexes affect gene expression by using the energy of ATP hydrolysis to locally disrupt or alter the association of histones with DNA. SWIRM (Swi3p, Rsc8p, and Moira) domain is an alpha-helical domain of about 85 residues in chromosomal proteins. SWIRM domain-containing proteins make up large multisubunit complexes by interacting with other chromatin modification factors and may have an important function in plants. However, little is known about SWIRM domain-containing proteins in plants. In this study, 67 SWIRM domain-containing proteins from 6 plant species were identified and analyzed. Plant SWIRM domain proteins can be divided into three distinct types: Swi-type, LSD1-type, and Ada2-type. Generally, the SWIRM domain forms a helix-turn-helix motif commonly found in DNA-binding proteins. The genes encoding SWIRM domain proteins in Oryza sativa are widely expressed, especially in pistils. In addition, OsCHB701 and OsHDMA701 were downregulated by cold stress, whereas OsHDMA701 and OsHDMA702 were significantly induced by heat stress. These observations indicate that SWIRM domain proteins may play an essential role in plant development and plant responses to environmental stress.

Overexpression of a histone H3K4 demethylase, JMJ15, accelerates flowering time in Arabidopsis

The methylation of histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) is essential for gene activation. Flowering Locus C (FLC), an important flowering repressor, quantitatively regulates flowering time in Arabidopsis and its expression level is coincident with H3K4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) dynamics. The methylation state of FLC chromatin is determined by the balance between methylation and demethylation, which is mediated by histone methyltransferases and demethylases, respectively. However, little is known about the role of histone demethylase(s) in FLC regulation. Here, we characterized the biochemical activity and biological function of a novel JmjC domain-containing H3K4 demethylase, JMJ15, in Arabidopsis. JMJ15, which is a member of the H3K4 demethylase JARID1 family, displayed H3K4me3 demethylase activity both in vitro and in vivo. The mutation of JMJ15 did not produce an obvious phenotype; however, overexpression JMJ15 resulted in an obvious early flowering phenotype, which was associated with the repression of FLC level and reduction in H3K4me3 at the FLC locus, resulting in increased FT expression. Our results suggest that JMJ15 is a novel H3K4 demethylase, involved in the control of flowering time by demethylating H3K4me3 at FLC chromatin when it was overexpressed in Arabidopsis.

KEY MESSAGE

Overexpression of a histone H3K4 demethylase, JMJ15, represses FLC expression by decreasing its chromatin H3K4me3 level, thereby controlling flowering time in Arabidopsis.

Vernalization-mediated chromatin changes

Proper flowering time is vital for reproductive fitness in flowering plants. In Arabidopsis, vernalization is mediated primarily through the repression of a MADS box transcription factor, FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). The induction of a plant homeodomain-containing protein, VERNALIZATION INSENSITIVE 3 (VIN3), by vernalizing cold is required for proper repression of FLC. One of a myriad of changes that occurs after VIN3 is induced is the establishment of FLC chromatin at a mitotically repressed state due to the enrichment of repressive histone modifications. VIN3 induction by cold is the earliest known event during the vernalization response and includes changes in histone modifications at its chromatin. Here, the current understanding of the vernalization-mediated chromatin changes in Arabidopsis is discussed, with a focus on the roles of shared chromatin-modifying machineries in regulating VIN3 and FLC gene family expression during the course of vernalization.

Epigenetic interplay of histone modifications and DNA methylation mediated by HDA6

One of the most fundamental questions in the control of gene expression is how epigenetic patterns of DNA methylation and histone modifications are established. Our recent studies demonstrate that histone deacetylase HDA6 integrates DNA methylation and histone modifications in gene silencing by interacting with DNA methyltransferase MET1 and histone demethylase FLD, suggesting that regulatory crosstalk between histone modifications and DNA methylation could be mediated by the interaction of various epigenetic modification proteins.

The genetic architecture of flowering time and photoperiod sensitivity in maize as revealed by QTL review and meta analysis

The control of flowering is not only important for reproduction, but also plays a key role in the processes of domestication and adaptation. To reveal the genetic architecture for flowering time and photoperiod sensitivity, a comprehensive evaluation of the relevant literature was performed and followed by meta analysis. A total of 25 synthetic consensus quantitative trait loci (QTL) and four hot-spot genomic regions were identified for photoperiod sensitivity including 11 genes related to photoperiod response or flower morphogenesis and development. Besides, a comparative analysis of the QTL for flowering time and photoperiod sensitivity highlighted the regions containing shared and unique QTL for the two traits. Candidate genes associated with maize flowering were identified through integrated analysis of the homologous genes for flowering time in plants and the consensus QTL regions for photoperiod sensitivity in maize (Zea mays L.). Our results suggest that the combination of literature review, meta-analysis and homologous blast is an efficient approach to identify new candidate genes and create a global view of the genetic architecture for maize photoperiodic flowering. Sequences of candidate genes can be used to develop molecular markers for various models of marker-assisted selection, such as marker-assisted recurrent selection and genomic selection that can contribute significantly to crop environmental adaptation.

UGT87A2, an Arabidopsis glycosyltransferase, regulates flowering time via FLOWERING LOCUS C

• Family 1 glycosyltransferases comprise the greatest number of glycosyltransferases found in plants. The widespread occurrence and diversity of glycosides throughout the plant kingdom underscore the importance of these glycosyltransferases. • Here, we describe the identification and characterization of a late-flowering Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutant, in which a putative family 1 glycosyltransferase gene, UGT87A2, was disrupted. The role and possible mechanism of UGT87A2 in the regulation of flowering were analyzed by molecular, genetic and cellular approaches. • The ugt87a2 mutant exhibited late flowering in both long and short days, and its flowering was promoted by vernalization and gibberellin. Furthermore, the mutant flowering phenotype was rescued by the wild-type UGT87A2 gene in complementation lines. Interestingly, the expression of the flowering repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C was increased substantially in the mutant, but decreased to the wild-type level in complementation lines, with corresponding changes in the expression levels of the floral integrators and floral meristem identity genes. The expression of UGT87A2 was developmentally regulated and its protein products were distributed in both cytoplasm and nucleus. • Our findings imply that UGT87A2 regulates flowering time via the flowering repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C. These data highlight an important role for the family 1 glycosyltransferases in the regulation of plant flower development.

Evaluating the potential of SHI expression as a compacting tool for ornamental plants

Control of plant growth, especially elongation of stems, is important in modern plant production, and many plant species, including cereals, grasses, fruit trees and ornamentals, are regularly treated chemically to control their stature and flowering time. Chemical treatments ensure short, homogenous plants, which are more robust and easy to harvest, transport and sell. Although growth retardants are an expensive and undesirable step in plant production, it is unfortunately necessary at present. Compact growth is desirable in most ornamentals and this trait can be difficult to obtain by traditional breeding. As an alternative, biotechnology could provide plant varieties with optimized growth habits. This review is an introduction to the family of SHI transcription factors, which has recently been used to produce compact plants of very diverse species. The possible functions and regulations of the SHI proteins are discussed, and the potential of using overexpression as means to dwarf plants is assessed. In conclusion the breeding of some species, especially flowering ornamentals, could benefit from this strategy. Furthermore, detailed knowledge about the role of SHI proteins in plant growth and development could help shed more light on the interactions between plant hormone signaling pathways.

A companion cell-dominant and developmentally regulated H3K4 demethylase controls flowering time in Arabidopsis via the repression of FLC expression

Flowering time relies on the integration of intrinsic developmental cues and environmental signals. FLC and its downstream target FT are key players in the floral transition in Arabidopsis. Here, we characterized the expression pattern and function of JMJ18, a novel JmjC domain-containing histone H3K4 demethylase gene in Arabidopsis. JMJ18 was dominantly expressed in companion cells; its temporal expression pattern was negatively and positively correlated with that of FLC and FT, respectively, during vegetative development. Mutations in JMJ18 resulted in a weak late-flowering phenotype, while JMJ18 overexpressors exhibited an obvious early-flowering phenotype. JMJ18 displayed demethylase activity toward H3K4me3 and H3K4me2, and bound FLC chromatin directly. The levels of H3K4me3 and H3K4me2 in chromatins of FLC clade genes and the expression of FLC clade genes were reduced, whereas FT expression was induced and the protein expression of FT increased in JMJ18 overexpressor lines. The early-flowering phenotype caused by the overexpression of JMJ18 was mainly dependent on the functional FT. Our findings suggest that the companion cell–dominant and developmentally regulated JMJ18 binds directly to the FLC locus, reducing the level of H3K4 methylation in FLC chromatin and repressing the expression of FLC, thereby promoting the expression of FT in companion cells to stimulate flowering.

Flowering is an important developmental transition during plant life cycle and the key process for production of the next generation. Flowering time is controlled by both intrinsic developmental and environmental signals. FLC and its target FT work as repressor and activator, respectively, to regulate flowering time in Arabidopsis; thus the regulation of FLC and FT expression is the key for the control of floral transition. Epigenetic modifications are critical for transcription regulation. Here, we show that a novel JmjC domain-containing histone H3K4 demethylase, JMJ18, is a key regulator for the expression of FLC and FT in companion cells and flowering time. JMJ18 is dominantly expressed in vascular tissue; its temporal expression pattern was developmentally regulated, and negatively and positively correlated with FLC and FT, respectively. JMJ18 mutation leads to weak late-flowering, while JMJ18 overexpressor exhibited an obvious early-flowering phenotype. JMJ18 binds to chromatin of FLC, represses its expression, and releases expression of FT in companion cells. Our results suggest that JMJ18 is a developmentally regulated companion cell–dominantly expressed signal to control flowering time by binding to FLC—reducing level of H3K4 methylation in FLC and repressing expression of FLC—thereby promoting expression of FT in companion cells during vegetative development in Arabidopsis.

Alteration of gene expression profile in maize infected with a double-stranded RNA fijivirus associated with symptom development

Maize rough dwarf disease caused by Rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) is a major viral disease in China. It has been suggested that the viral infection of plants might cause distinct disease symptoms through the inhibition or activation of host gene transcription. We scanned the gene expression profile of RBSDV-infected maize through oligomer-based microarrays to reveal possible expression changes associated with symptom development. Our results demonstrate that various resistance-related maize genes and cell wall- and development-related genes, such as those for cellulose synthesis, are among the genes whose expression is dramatically altered. These results could aid in research into new strategies to protect cereal crops against viruses, and reveal the molecular mechanisms of development of specific symptoms in rough dwarf-related diseases.

EMSY-like genes are required for full RPP7-mediated race-specific immunity and basal defense in Arabidopsis

The Arabidopsis thaliana gene enhanced downy mildew 2 (EDM2) encodes a nuclear protein required for RPP7-mediated race-specific disease resistance against Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis, proper floral transition and additional developmental processes. Transcript levels of the disease-resistance gene RPP7 are enhanced by EDM2 while those of the floral suppressor FLC are repressed by EDM2. By yeast two-hybrid screening for EDM2-interacting proteins, we identified AtEML1, a member of a small group of four Arabidopsis proteins containing an EMSY N-terminal domain, a central Agenet domain, and a C-terminal coiled-coil motif. Using T-DNA mutants combined with silencing by artificial microRNAs, we found AtEML1, AtEML2, and, likely, AtEML4 to contribute to RPP7-mediated immunity. Besides this, AtEML1 and AtEML2 participate in a second EDM2-dependent function and affect floral transition. Unlike EDM2, whose role in immunity appears to be limited to RPP7-mediated disease resistance, some AtEML members contribute to basal defense, an unspecific general defense mechanism. Domain architectures of EDM2 as well as AtEML proteins suggest roles of these proteins in the regulation of chromatin states. Thus, possible cooperation of AtEML members with EDM2 at the level of chromatin dynamics may link race-specific pathogen recognition to general defense mechanisms.

Arabidopsis homologs of retinoblastoma-associated protein 46/48 associate with a histone deacetylase to act redundantly in chromatin silencing

RNA molecules such as small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and antisense RNAs (asRNAs) trigger chromatin silencing of target loci. In the model plant Arabidopsis, RNA–triggered chromatin silencing involves repressive histone modifications such as histone deacetylation, histone H3 lysine-9 methylation, and H3 lysine-27 monomethylation. Here, we report that two Arabidopsis homologs of the human histone-binding proteins Retinoblastoma-Associated Protein 46/48 (RbAp46/48), known as MSI4 (or FVE) and MSI5, function in partial redundancy in chromatin silencing of various loci targeted by siRNAs or asRNAs. We show that MSI5 acts in partial redundancy with FVE to silence FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), which is a crucial floral repressor subject to asRNA–mediated silencing, FLC homologs, and other loci including transposable and repetitive elements which are targets of siRNA–directed DNA Methylation (RdDM). Both FVE and MSI5 associate with HISTONE DEACETYLASE 6 (HDA6) to form complexes and directly interact with the target loci, leading to histone deacetylation and transcriptional silencing. In addition, these two genes function in de novo CHH (H = A, T, or C) methylation and maintenance of symmetric cytosine methylation (mainly CHG methylation) at endogenous RdDM target loci, and they are also required for establishment of cytosine methylation in the previously unmethylated sequences directed by the RdDM pathway. This reveals an important functional divergence of the plant RbAp46/48 relatives from animal counterparts.

Chromatin, made of histones and DNA, is often covalently modified in the nucleus, and modifications can regulate gene transcription. RNA molecules such as small-interfering or silencing RNAs (siRNAs) and antisense RNAs (asRNAs) can trigger silencing of gene expression in eukaryotes. We have found that in the flowering plant Arabidopsis, two homologous putative histone-binding proteins associate with a histone deacetylase and function in partial redundancy in chromatin-based silencing of various loci targeted by siRNAs or asRNAs. They act in partial redundancy to silence a development-regulatory gene that controls the transition to flowering and whose silencing is triggered by asRNAs, and genomic loci containing transposable and repetitive elements whose silencing is triggered by siRNAs via the siRNA–directed DNA Methylation (RdDM) pathway. In addition, these two genes function in maintenance of DNA methylation at RdDM loci and are also required for establishment of DNA methylation in the previously unmethylated sequences, revealing that histone modifications are partly required for DNA methylation. Our findings implicate that RNA–triggered transcriptional silencing involves repressive histone modifications such as deacetylation at a target locus.

FVE, an Arabidopsis homologue of the retinoblastoma-associated protein that regulates flowering time and cold response, binds to chromatin as a large multiprotein complex

Some genetic studies indicate that plant homologues of proteins involved in chromatin modification and remodeling in other organisms may regulate plant development. Previously, we described an Arabidopsis mutant with altered cold-responsive gene expression (acg1) displaying a late flowering phenotype, a null allele of fve. FVE is a homologue of the mammalian retinoblastoma-associated protein (RbAp), one component of a histone deacetylase (HDAC) complex involved in transcriptional repression, and has been shown to be involved in the deacetylation of the FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) chromatin encoding for a repressor of flowering. In an effort to gain insight into the biochemical functions of FVE, we overexpressed FVE tagged with the hemagglutinin (HA) and FLAG epitope at the N-terminus in acg1 mutants. The results of physiological and molecular analyses demonstrated that FVE overexpression in acg1 rescued the mutant phenotypes, including late flowering and alterations in floral pathway gene expression such as FLC, SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CO1 (SOC1), and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), and also super-induced cold-responsive reporter gene expression. The chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed the amplification of specific DNA regions of FLC and COLD-REGULATED 15A (COR15A), indicating that FVE may bind to the FLC and COR15A chromatin. Gel-filtration chromatography and the immunoprecipitation of putative FVE complexes showed that FVE forms a protein complex of approximately 1.0 MDa. These results demonstrate that FVE may exist as a multiprotein complex, similar to the mammalian HDAC complex harboring RbAp, to regulate flowering time and cold response by associating with the FLC and COR chromatin.

Histone modifications in transcriptional activation during plant development

In eukaryotic cell nuclei, chromatin states dictated by different combinations of post-translational modifications of histones, such as acetylation, methylation and monoubiquitination of lysine residues, are part of the multitude of epigenomes involved in the fine-tuning of all genetic functions and in particular transcription. During the past decade, an increasing number of 'writers', 'readers' and 'erasers' of histone modifications have been identified. Characterization of these factors in Arabidopsis has unraveled their pivotal roles in the regulation of essential processes, such as floral transition, cell differentiation, gametogenesis, and plant response/adaptation to environmental stresses. In this review we focus on histone modification marks associated with transcriptional activation to highlight current knowledge on Arabidopsis 'writers', 'readers' and 'erasers' of histone modifications and to discuss recent findings on molecular mechanisms of integration of histone modifications with the RNA polymerase II transcriptional machinery during transcription of the flowering repressor gene FLC.

Derepression of ethylene-stabilized transcription factors (EIN3/EIL1) mediates jasmonate and ethylene signaling synergy in Arabidopsis

Jasmonate (JA) and ethylene (ET) are two major plant hormones that synergistically regulate plant development and tolerance to necrotrophic fungi. Both JA and ET induce the expression of several pathogenesis-related genes, while blocking either signaling pathway abolishes the induction of these genes by JA and ET alone or in combination. However, the molecular basis of JA/ET coaction and signaling interdependency is largely unknown. Here, we report that two Arabidopsis ET-stabilized transcription factors (EIN3 and EIL1) integrate ET and JA signaling in the regulation of gene expression, root development, and necrotrophic pathogen defense. Further studies reveal that JA enhances the transcriptional activity of EIN3/EIL1 by removal of JA-Zim domain (JAZ) proteins, which physically interact with and repress EIN3/EIL1. In addition, we find that JAZ proteins recruit an RPD3-type histone deacetylase (HDA6) as a corepressor that modulates histone acetylation, represses EIN3/EIL1-dependent transcription, and inhibits JA signaling. Our studies identify EIN3/EIL1 as a key integration node whose activation requires both JA and ET signaling, and illustrate transcriptional derepression as a common mechanism to integrate diverse signaling pathways in the regulation of plant development and defense.

Chromatin modifications and remodeling in plant abiotic stress responses

Sensing environmental changes and initiating a gene expression response are important for plants as sessile autotrophs. The ability of epigenetic status to alter rapidly and reversibly could be a key component to the flexibility of plant responses to the environment. The involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in the response to environmental cues and to different types of abiotic stresses has been documented. Different environmental stresses lead to altered methylation status of DNA as well as modifications of nucleosomal histones. Understanding how epigenetic mechanisms are involved in plant response to environmental stress is highly desirable, not just for a better understanding of molecular mechanisms of plant stress response but also for possible application in the genetic manipulation of plants. In this review, we highlight our current understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms of chromatin modifications and remodeling, with emphasis on the roles of specific modification enzymes and remodeling factors in plant abiotic stress responses. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Plant gene regulation in response to abiotic stress.

Involvement of KDM1C histone demethylase-OTLD1 otubain-like histone deubiquitinase complexes in plant gene repression

Covalent modifications of histones, such as acetylation, methylation and ubiquitination, are central for regulation of gene expression. Heterochromatic gene silencing, for example, is associated with hypoacetylation, methylation and demethylation, and deubiquitination of specific amino acid residues in histone molecules. Many of these changes can be effected by histone-modifying repressor complexes that include histone lysine demethylases, such as KDM1 in animals and KDM1C in plants. However, whereas KDM1-containing repressor complexes have been implicated in histone demethylation, methylation and deacetylation, whether or not they can also mediate histone deubiquitination remains unknown. We identify an Arabidopsis otubain-like deubiquitinase OTLD1 which directly interacts with the Arabidopsis KDM1C in planta, and use one target gene to exemplify that both OTLD1 and KDM1C are involved in transcriptional gene repression via histone deubiquitination and demethylation. We also show that OTLD1 binds plant chromatin and has enzymatic histone deubiquitinase activity, specific for the H2B histone. Thus, we suggest that, during gene repression, lysine demethylases can directly interact and function in a protein complex with histone deubiquitinases.

Regulation of flowering time: all roads lead to Rome

Plants undergo a major physiological change as they transition from vegetative growth to reproductive development. This transition is a result of responses to various endogenous and exogenous signals that later integrate to result in flowering. Five genetically defined pathways have been identified that control flowering. The vernalization pathway refers to the acceleration of flowering on exposure to a long period of cold. The photoperiod pathway refers to regulation of flowering in response to day length and quality of light perceived. The gibberellin pathway refers to the requirement of gibberellic acid for normal flowering patterns. The autonomous pathway refers to endogenous regulators that are independent of the photoperiod and gibberellin pathways. Most recently, an endogenous pathway that adds plant age to the control of flowering time has been described. The molecular mechanisms of these pathways have been studied extensively in Arabidopsis thaliana and several other flowering plants.

Conservation and divergence of autonomous pathway genes in the flowering regulatory network of Beta vulgaris

The transition from vegetative growth to reproductive development is a complex process that requires an integrated response to multiple environmental cues and endogenous signals. In Arabidopsis thaliana, which has a facultative requirement for vernalization and long days, the genes of the autonomous pathway function as floral promoters by repressing the central repressor and vernalization-regulatory gene FLC. Environmental regulation by seasonal changes in daylength is under control of the photoperiod pathway and its key gene CO. The root and leaf crop species Beta vulgaris in the caryophyllid clade of core eudicots, which is only very distantly related to Arabidopsis, is an obligate long-day plant and includes forms with or without vernalization requirement. FLC and CO homologues with related functions in beet have been identified, but the presence of autonomous pathway genes which function in parallel to the vernalization and photoperiod pathways has not yet been reported. Here, this begins to be addressed by the identification and genetic mapping of full-length homologues of the RNA-regulatory gene FLK and the chromatin-regulatory genes FVE, LD, and LDL1. When overexpressed in A. thaliana, BvFLK accelerates bolting in the Col-0 background and fully complements the late-bolting phenotype of an flk mutant through repression of FLC. In contrast, complementation analysis of BvFVE1 and the presence of a putative paralogue in beet suggest evolutionary divergence of FVE homologues. It is further shown that BvFVE1, unlike FVE in Arabidopsis, is under circadian clock control. Together, the data provide first evidence for evolutionary conservation of components of the autonomous pathway in B. vulgaris, while also suggesting divergence or subfunctionalization of one gene. The results are likely to be of broader relevance because B. vulgaris expands the spectrum of evolutionarily diverse species which are subject to differential developmental and/or environmental regulation of floral transition.

HISTONE DEACETYLASE6 interacts with FLOWERING LOCUS D and regulates flowering in Arabidopsis

Histone acetylation and deacetylation play an important role in epigenetic controls of gene expression. HISTONE DEACETYLASE6 (HDA6) is a REDUCED POTASSIUM DEPENDENCY3-type histone deacetylase, and the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) hda6 mutant axe1-5 displayed a late-flowering phenotype. axe1-5/flc-3 double mutants flowered earlier than axe1-5 plants, indicating that the late-flowering phenotype of axe1-5 was FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) dependent. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation, in vitro pull-down, and coimmunoprecipitation assays revealed the protein-protein interaction between HDA6 and the histone demethylase FLD. It was found that the SWIRM domain in the amino-terminal region of FLD and the carboxyl-terminal region of HDA6 are responsible for the interaction between these two proteins. Increased levels of histone H3 acetylation and H3K4 trimethylation at FLC, MAF4, and MAF5 were found in both axe1-5 and fld-6 plants, suggesting functional interplay between histone deacetylase and demethylase in flowering control. These results support a scenario in which histone deacetylation and demethylation cross talk are mediated by physical association between HDA6 and FLD. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis indicated that HDA6 bound to the chromatin of several potential target genes, including FLC and MAF4. Genome-wide gene expression analysis revealed that, in addition to genes related to flowering, genes involved in gene silencing and stress response were also affected in hda6 mutants, revealing multiple functions of HDA6. Furthermore, a subset of transposons was up-regulated and displayed increased histone hyperacetylation, suggesting that HDA6 can also regulate transposons through deacetylating histone.

Dual roles for FY in the regulation of FLC

In Arabidopsis, the flowering decision is determined by multiple pathways that integrate information from both endogenous signals and environmental cues. The genes of the autonomous pathway promote flowering by suppressing the expression of the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). Thus, autonomous-pathway mutants have elevated levels of FLC and are late flowering. Previous work has shown that two autonomous pathway proteins, FCA and FY, physically interact and this interaction is important in the repression of FLC. Recent work from our laboratory has shown that a hypomorphic allele of FY (fy-5) can cause earlier or later flowering, depending on the genetic background. These results suggest that FY has the potential to act as both an activator and a repressor of FLC. The FLC-activating activity of FY appears to be FCA-independent, as fy-5 causes earlier flowering in an fca-null background. Here we present a speculative model that reconciles these opposing phenotypes by proposing a dual role for FY in the regulation of flowering time.

Epigenetic gene regulation by plant Jumonji group of histone demethylase

Histone methylation plays an important role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Reversible methylation/demethylation of several histone lysine residues is mediated by distinct histone methyltransferases and histone demethylases. Jumonji proteins have been characterized to be involved in histone demethylation. Plant Jumonji homologues are found to have important functions in epigenetic processes, gene expression and plant development and to play an essential role in interplay between histone modifications and DNA methylation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Epigenetic Control of cellular and developmental processes in plants.

Hypomorphic alleles reveal FCA-independent roles for FY in the regulation of FLOWERING LOCUS C

The autonomous floral promotion pathway plays a key role in the regulation of flowering in rapid-cycling Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) by providing constitutive repression of the floral inhibitor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). As a result, autonomous pathway mutants contain elevated levels of FLC and are late flowering. Winter annual Arabidopsis, in contrast, contain functional alleles of FRIGIDA (FRI), which acts epistatically to the autonomous pathway to up-regulate FLC and delay flowering. To further explore the relationship between FRI and the autonomous pathway, we placed autonomous pathway mutants in a FRI-containing background. Unexpectedly, we found that a hypomorphic allele of the autonomous pathway gene fy (fy null alleles are embryo lethal) displayed background-specific effects on FLC expression and flowering time; in a rapid-cycling background fy mutants contained elevated levels of FLC and were late flowering, whereas in a winter annual background fy decreased FLC levels and partially suppressed the late-flowering phenotype conferred by FRI. Because FY has been shown to have homology to polyadenylation factors, we examined polyadenylation site selection in FLC transcripts. In wild type, two polyadenylation sites were detected and used at similar levels. In fy mutant backgrounds, however, the ratio of products was shifted to favor the distally polyadenylated form. FY has previously been shown to physically interact with another member of the autonomous pathway, FCA. Interestingly, we found that fy can partially suppress FLC expression in an fca null background and promote proximal polyadenylation site selection usage in the absence of FCA. Taken together, these results indicate novel and FCA-independent roles for FY in the regulation of FLC.

Rapid and reversible light-mediated chromatin modifications of Arabidopsis phytochrome A locus

Recent genome-wide surveys showed that acetylation of H3K9 and H3K27 is correlated with gene activation during deetiolation of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings, but less is known regarding changes in the histone status of repressed genes. Phytochrome A (phyA) is the major photoreceptor of deetiolation, and phyA expression is reversibly repressed by light. We found that in adult Arabidopsis plants, phyA activation in darkness was accompanied by a significant enrichment in the phyA transcription and translation start sites of not only H3K9/14ac and H3K27ac but also H3K4me3, and there was also moderate enrichment of H4K5ac, H4K8ac, H4K12ac, and H4K16ac. Conversely, when phyA expression was repressed by light, H3K27me3 was enriched with a corresponding decline in H3K27ac; moreover, demethylation of H3K4me3 and deacetylation of H3K9/14 were also seen. These histone modifications, which were focused around the phyA transcription/translation start sites, were detected within 1 h of deetiolation. Mutant analysis showed that HDA19/HD1 mediated deacetylation of H3K9/14 and uncovered possible histone crosstalk between H3K9/14ac and H3K4me3. Neither small RNA pathways nor the circadian clock affected H3 modification status of the phyA locus, and DNA methylation was unchanged by light. The presence of activating and repressive histone marks suggests a mechanism for the rapid and reversible regulation of phyA by dark and light.

Transcriptome profile analysis of flowering molecular processes of early flowering trifoliate orange mutant and the wild-type [Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.] by massively parallel signature sequencing

BACKGROUND

After several years in the juvenile phase, trees undergo flowering transition to become mature (florally competent) trees. This transition depends on the balanced expression of a complex network of genes that is regulated by both endogenous and environmental factors. However, relatively little is known about the molecular processes regulating flowering transition in woody plants compared with herbaceous plants.

RESULTS

Comparative transcript profiling of spring shoots after self-pruning was performed on a spontaneously early flowering trifoliate orange mutant (precocious trifoliate orange, Poncirus trifoliata) with a short juvenile phase and the wild-type (WT) tree by using massively parallel signature sequencing (MPSS). A total of 16,564,500 and 16,235,952 high quality reads were obtained for the WT and the mutant (MT), respectively. Interpretation of the MPSS signatures revealed that the total number of transcribed genes in the MT (31,468) was larger than in the WT (29,864), suggesting that newly initiated transcription occurs in the MT. Further comparison of the transcripts revealed that 2735 genes had more than twofold expression difference in the MT compared with the WT. In addition, we identified 110 citrus flowering-time genes homologous with known elements of flowering-time pathways through sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. These genes are highly conserved in citrus and other species, suggesting that the functions of the related proteins in controlling reproductive development may be conserved as well.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide a foundation for comparative gene expression studies between WT and precocious trifoliate orange. Additionally, a number of candidate genes required for the early flowering process of precocious trifoliate orange were identified. These results provide new insight into the molecular processes regulating flowering time in citrus.

Arabidopsis floral initiator SKB1 confers high salt tolerance by regulating transcription and pre-mRNA splicing through altering histone H4R3 and small nuclear ribonucleoprotein LSM4 methylation

Plants adapt their growth and development in response to perceived salt stress. Although DELLA-dependent growth restraint is thought to be an integration of the plant's response to salt stress, little is known about how histone modification confers salt stress and, in turn, affects development. Here, we report that floral initiator Shk1 kinase binding protein1 (SKB1) and histone4 arginine3 (H4R3) symmetric dimethylation (H4R3sme2) integrate responses to plant developmental progress and salt stress. Mutation of SKB1 results in salt hypersensitivity, late flowering, and growth retardation. SKB1 associates with chromatin and thereby increases the H4R3sme2 level to suppress the transcription of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) and a number of stress-responsive genes. During salt stress, the H4R3sme2 level is reduced, as a consequence of SKB1 disassociating from chromatin to induce the expression of FLC and the stress-responsive genes but increasing the methylation of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein Sm-like4 (LSM4). Splicing defects are observed in the skb1 and lsm4 mutants, which are sensitive to salt. We propose that SKB1 mediates plant development and the salt response by altering the methylation status of H4R3sme2 and LSM4 and linking transcription to pre-mRNA splicing.

Epigenetic performers in plants

Epigenetic research is at the forefront of plant biology and molecular genetics. Studies on higher plants underscore the significant role played by epigenetics in both plant development and stress response. Relatively recent advances in analytical methodology have allowed for a significant expansion of what is known about genome-wide mapping of DNA methylation and histone modifications. In this review, we explore the different modification patterns in plant epigenetics, and the key factors involved in the epigenetic process, in order to illustrate various putative mechanisms. Experimental technology to exploit these modifications, and proposed focus areas for future plant epigenetic research, are also presented.

Involvement of brassinosteroid signals in the floral-induction network of Arabidopsis

The transition to flowering is known to be regulated by numerous interacting endogenous and environmental cues, of which brassinosteroids (BRs), a group of polyhydroxylated steroid phytohormones, appear to be linked to the regulation of flowering time. In Arabidopsis, BR biosynthetic det2 mutants exhibited delayed flowering time by at least 10 d compared with the wild type. The levels of endogenous BRs in det2 were below 10% of the wild type. The timing of flowering was also delayed in the BR biosynthetic dwf4 and cpd mutants and in the BR-insensitive bri1 mutants. Because brassinolide (BL) and different BL precursors were over-accumulated in BR biosynthetic mutants and BR-insensitive bri1 mutants, this showed that alterations in the endogenous BL content and the level of different BL precursors affect flowering time in Arabidopsis. The late-flowering phenotypes of bri1 also showed that components of the BR signal transduction pathway affect flowering time. So far, reports on a connection between BRs and flowering time are limited. This review summarizes recent advances regarding the action of BRs in the transition to flowering.

Growth habit determination by the balance of histone methylation activities in Arabidopsis

In Arabidopsis, the rapid-flowering summer-annual versus the vernalization-requiring winter-annual growth habit is determined by natural variation in FRIGIDA (FRI) and FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). However, the biochemical basis of how FRI confers a winter-annual habit remains elusive. Here, we show that FRI elevates FLC expression by enhancement of histone methyltransferase (HMT) activity. EARLY FLOWERING IN SHORT DAYS (EFS), which is essential for FRI function, is demonstrated to be a novel dual substrate (histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) and H3K36)-specific HMT. FRI is recruited into FLC chromatin through EFS and in turn enhances EFS activity and engages additional HMTs. At FLC, the HMT activity of EFS is balanced by the H3K4/H3K36- and H3K4-specific histone demethylase (HDM) activities of autonomous-pathway components, RELATIVE OF EARLY FLOWERING 6 and FLOWERING LOCUS D, respectively. Loss of HDM activity in summer annuals results in dominant HMT activity, leading to conversion to a winter-annual habit in the absence of FRI. Thus, our study provides a model of how growth habit is determined through the balance of the H3K4/H3K36-specific HMT and HDM activities.

Arabidopsis DDB1a and DDB1b are critical for embryo development

DNA Damaged binding protein 1 (DDB1) is a highly conserved protein of around 125 kDa. It serves as a substrate adaptor subunit to a CUL4-based E3 ubiquitin ligase within the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. However, based on a set of three beta-propellers, the protein is able to mediate various protein-protein interactions, suggesting that it participates in many developmental and physiological processes in the plant. Arabidopsis encodes for two closely related DDB1 proteins, named DDB1a and DDB1b. While loss-of DDB1a does not severely affect development, loss-of DDB1b has been reported to result in an embryo lethal phenotype. Here we describe two novel ddb1b T-DNA insertion mutants that are not embryo lethal, which we utilized as genetic tools to dissect DDB1b from DDB1a function. Information generated by these studies showed that the C-terminal part of the DDB1 proteins is critical for specific protein-protein interactions. In addition, we demonstrated that DDB1a, like DDB1b, is critical for embryo development, and that both proteins have distinct functions in whole plant development.

The Arabidopsis Paf1c complex component CDC73 participates in the modification of FLOWERING LOCUS C chromatin

FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) is a key repressor of flowering in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and is regulated, both positively and negatively, by posttranslational histone modifications. For example, vernalization (the promotion of flowering by cold temperatures) epigenetically silences FLC expression through repressive histone modifications such as histone H3 lysine-9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) and H3K27me3. In contrast, an RNA polymerase II-associated complex (Paf1c) activates FLC expression through increased H3K4 and H3K36 methylation. As a result of this regulation, FLC has become a useful model for the study of chromatin structure in Arabidopsis. Here we show that At3g22590 is the Arabidopsis homolog of the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Paf1c component CDC73 and is enriched at FLC chromatin. In contrast to other Paf1c component mutants that exhibit pleiotropic developmental phenotypes, the effects of cdc73 mutations are primarily limited to flowering time, suggesting that CDC73 may only be required for Paf1c function at a subset of target genes. In rapid-cycling strains, cdc73 mutants showed reduced FLC mRNA levels and decreased H3K4me3 at the FLC locus. Interestingly, in late-flowering autonomous-pathway mutants, which contain higher levels of FLC, cdc73 mutations only suppressed FLC in a subset of mutants. H3K4me3 was uniformly reduced in all autonomous-pathway cdc73 double mutants tested; however, those showing reduced FLC expression also showed an increase in H3K27me3. Thus, CDC73 is required for high levels of FLC expression in a subset of autonomous-pathway-mutant backgrounds and functions both to promote activating histone modifications (H3K4me3) as well as preventing repressive ones (e.g. H3K27me3).

Decoding the epigenetic language of plant development

Epigenetics refers to the study of heritable changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype without changes in DNA sequence. Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is accomplished by DNA methylation, histone modifications, histone variants, chromatin remodeling, and may involve small RNAs. DNA methylation at cytosine is carried out by enzymes called DNA Methyltransferases and is involved in many cellular processes, such as silencing of transposable elements and pericentromeric repeats, X-chromosome inactivation and genomic imprinting, etc. Histone modifications refer to posttranslational covalent attachment of chemical groups onto histones such as phosphorylation, acetylation, and methylation, etc. Histone variants, the non-canonical histones with amino acid sequences divergent from canonical histones, can have different epigenetic impacts on the genome from canonical histones. Higher-order chromatin structures maintained or modified by chromatin remodeling proteins also play important roles in regulating gene expression. Small non-coding RNAs play various roles in the regulation of gene expression at pre- as well as posttranscriptional levels. A special issue of Molecular Plant on 'Epigenetics and Plant Development' (Volume 4, Number 2, 2009) published a variety of articles covering many aspects of epigenetic regulation of plant development. We have tried here to present a bird's-eye view of these credible efforts towards understanding the mysterious world of epigenetics. The majority of the articles are about the chromatin modifying proteins, including histone modifiers, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling proteins that regulate various developmental processes, such as flowering time, vernalization, stem cell maintenance, and response to hormonal and environmental stresses, etc. Regulation of expression of seed transcriptome, involvement of direct tandem repeat elements in the PHE1 imprinting in addition to PcG proteins activity, paramutation, and epigenetic barriers in species hybridization are described well. The last two papers are about the Pol V-mediated heterochromatin formation independent of the 24nt-siRNA and the effect of genome position and tissue type on epigenetic regulation of gene expression. These findings not only further our current understanding of epigenetic mechanisms involved in many biological phenomena, but also pave the path for the future work, by raising many new questions that are discussed in the following lines.

BrFLC2 (FLOWERING LOCUS C) as a candidate gene for a vernalization response QTL in Brassica rapa

Flowering time is an important agronomic trait, and wide variation exists among Brassica rapa. In Arabidopsis, FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) plays an important role in modulating flowering time and the response to vernalization. Brassica rapa contains several paralogues of FLC at syntenic regions. BrFLC2 maps under a major flowering time and vernalization response quantitative trait locus (QTL) at the top of A02. Here the effects of vernalization on flowering time in a double haploid (DH) population and on BrFLC2 expression in selected lines of a DH population in B. rapa are descibed. The effect of the major flowering time QTL on the top of A02 where BrFLC2 maps clearly decreases upon vernalization, which points to a role for BrFLC2 underlying the QTL. In all developmental stages and tissues (seedlings, cotyledons, and leaves), BrFLC2 transcript levels are higher in late flowering pools of DH lines than in pools of early flowering DH lines. BrFLC2 expression diminished after different durations of seedling vernalization in both early and late DH lines. The reduction of BrFLC2 expression upon seedling vernalization of both early and late flowering DH lines was strongest at the seedling stage and diminished in subsequent growth stages, which suggests that the commitment to flowering is already set at very early developmental stages. Taken together, these data support the hypothesis that BrFLC2 is a candidate gene for the flowering time and vernalization response QTL in B. rapa.

Transgenerational adaptation of Arabidopsis to stress requires DNA methylation and the function of Dicer-like proteins

Epigenetic states and certain environmental responses in mammals and seed plants can persist in the next sexual generation. These transgenerational effects have potential adaptative significance as well as medical and agronomic ramifications. Recent evidence suggests that some abiotic and biotic stress responses of plants are transgenerational. For example, viral infection of tobacco plants and exposure of Arabidopsis thaliana plants to UVC and flagellin can induce transgenerational increases in homologous recombination frequency (HRF). Here we show that exposure of Arabidopsis plants to stresses, including salt, UVC, cold, heat and flood, resulted in a higher HRF, increased global genome methylation, and higher tolerance to stress in the untreated progeny. This transgenerational effect did not, however, persist in successive generations. Treatment of the progeny of stressed plants with 5-azacytidine was shown to decrease global genomic methylation and enhance stress tolerance. Dicer-like (DCL) 2 and DCL3 encode Dicer activities important for small RNA-dependent gene silencing. Stress-induced HRF and DNA methylation were impaired in dcl2 and dcl3 deficiency mutants, while in dcl2 mutants, only stress-induced stress tolerance was impaired. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that stress-induced transgenerational responses in Arabidopsis depend on altered DNA methylation and smRNA silencing pathways.

Seasonal and developmental timing of flowering

The coordination of the timing of flowering with seasonal and development cues is a critical life-history trait that has been shaped by evolution to maximize reproductive success. Decades of studying many plant species have revealed several of the fascinating systems that plants have evolved to control flowering time: such as the perception of day length in leaves, which leads to the production of a mobile signal, florigen, that promotes flowering at the shoot apical meristem; the vernalization process in which exposure to prolonged cold results in meristem competence to flower; and the juvenile to adult phase transition. Arabidopsis research has contributed greatly to understanding these systems at a molecular level.

Linking genotype to phenotype using the Arabidopsis unimutant collection

The large collections of Arabidopsis thaliana sequence-indexed T-DNA insertion mutants are among the most important resources to emerge from the sequencing of the genome. Several laboratories around the world have used the Arabidopsis reference genome sequence to map T-DNA flanking sequence tags (FST) for over 325,000 T-DNA insertion lines. Over the past decade, phenotypes identified with T-DNA-induced mutants have played a critical role in advancing both basic and applied plant research. These widely used mutants are an invaluable tool for direct interrogation of gene function. However, most lines are hemizygous for the insertion, necessitating a genotyping step to identify homozygous plants for the quantification of phenotypes. This situation has limited the application of these collections for genome-wide screens. Isolating multiple homozygous insert lines for every gene in the genome would make it possible to systematically test the phenotypic consequence of gene loss under a wide variety of conditions. One major obstacle to achieving this goal is that 12% of genes have no insertion and 8% are only represented by a single allele. Generation of additional mutations to achieve full genome coverage has been slow and expensive since each insertion is sequenced one at a time. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing technology open up a potentially faster and cost-effective means to create new, very large insertion mutant populations for plants or animals. With the combination of new tools for genome-wide studies and emerging phenotyping platforms, these sequence-indexed mutant collections are poised to have a larger impact on our understanding of gene function.

The spen family protein FPA controls alternative cleavage and polyadenylation of RNA

The spen family protein FPA is required for flowering time control and has been implicated in RNA silencing. The mechanism by which FPA carries out these functions is unknown. We report the identification of an activity for FPA in controlling mRNA 3' end formation. We show that FPA functions redundantly with FCA, another RNA binding protein that controls flowering and RNA silencing, to control the expression of alternatively polyadenylated antisense RNAs at the locus encoding the floral repressor FLC. In addition, we show that defective 3' end formation at an upstream RNA polymerase II-dependent gene explains the apparent derepression of the AtSN1 retroelement in fpa mutants. Transcript readthrough accounts for the absence of changes in DNA methylation and siRNA abundance at AtSN1 in fpa mutants, and this may explain other examples of epigenetic transitions not associated with chromatin modification.

Vernalization: winter and the timing of flowering in plants

Plants have evolved many systems to sense their environment and to modify their growth and development accordingly. One example is vernalization, the process by which flowering is promoted as plants sense exposure to the cold temperatures of winter. A requirement for vernalization is an adaptive trait that helps prevent flowering before winter and permits flowering in the favorable conditions of spring. In Arabidopsis and cereals, vernalization results in the suppression of genes that repress flowering. We describe recent progress in understanding the molecular basis of this suppression. In Arabidopsis, vernalization involves the recruitment of chromatin-modifying complexes to a clade of flowering repressors that are silenced epigenetically via histone modifications. We also discuss the similarities and differences in vernalization between Arabidopsis and cereals.

Histone methylation in higher plants

Histone methylation plays a fundamental role in regulating diverse developmental processes and is also involved in silencing repetitive sequences in order to maintain genome stability. The methylation marks are written on lysine or arginine by distinct enzymes, namely, histone lysine methyltransferases (HKMTs) or protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). Once established, the methylation marks are specifically recognized by the proteins that act as readers and are interpreted into specific biological outcomes. Histone methylation status is dynamic; methylation marks can be removed by eraser enzymes, the histone demethylases (HDMs). The proteins responsible for writing, reading, and erasing the methylation marks are known mostly in animals. During the past several years, a growing body of literature has demonstrated the impact of histone methylation on genome management, transcriptional regulation, and development in plants. The aim of this review is to summarize the biochemical, genetic, and molecular action of histone methylation in two plants, the dicot Arabidopsis and the monocot rice.

Levels and Stability of Expression of Transgenes

It is well known that in a given cell, at a particular time, only a fraction of the entire genome is expressed. Expression of a gene, nuclear, or organellar starts with the onset of transcription and ends in the synthesis of the functional protein. The regulation of gene expression is a complex process that requires the coordinated activity of different proteins and nucleic acids that ultimately determine whether a gene is transcribed, and if transcribed, whether it results in the production of a protein that develops a phenotype. The same also holds true for transgenic crops, which lie at the very core of insert design.

There are multiple checkpoints at which the expression of a gene can be regulated and controlled. Much of the emphasis of studies related to gene expression has been on regulation of gene transcription, and a number of methods are used to effect the control of gene expression. Controlling transgene expression for a commercially valuable trait is necessary to capture its value. Many gene functions are either lethal or produce severe deformity (resulting in loss of value) if over-expressed. Thus, expression of a transgene at a particular site or in response to a particular elicitor is always desirable.

Balance of power--dynamic regulation of chromatin in plant development

Chromatin states profoundly determine and maintain gene activity and gene repression in eukaryotic organisms. Regulation of chromatin involves chromatin remodeling, chromatin modifications and exchange of chromatin components and is linked to DNA methylation in some cases. In plants and other organisms, chromatin proteins control many developmental pathways, integrate changes in the environment and can confer a cellular memory of these cues. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms that provide a dynamic regulation of chromatin in a cell. In addition, we discuss how chromatin needs to be flexibly regulated during plant growth to confer stable expression states that can occasionally be reset, e.g., owing to changes in the environment and progression of development.

Repression of FLOWERING LOCUS T chromatin by functionally redundant histone H3 lysine 4 demethylases in Arabidopsis

FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) plays a key role as a mobile floral induction signal that initiates the floral transition. Therefore, precise control of FT expression is critical for the reproductive success of flowering plants. Coexistence of bivalent histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and H3K4me3 marks at the FT locus and the role of H3K27me3 as a strong FT repression mechanism in Arabidopsis have been reported. However, the role of an active mark, H3K4me3, in FT regulation has not been addressed, nor have the components affecting this mark been identified. Mutations in Arabidopsis thaliana Jumonji4 (AtJmj4) and EARLY FLOWERING6 (ELF6), two Arabidopsis genes encoding Jumonji (Jmj) family proteins, caused FT-dependent, additive early flowering correlated with increased expression of FT mRNA and increased H3K4me3 levels within FT chromatin. Purified recombinant AtJmj4 protein possesses specific demethylase activity for mono-, di-, and trimethylated H3K4. Tagged AtJmj4 and ELF6 proteins associate directly with the FT transcription initiation region, a region where the H3K4me3 levels were increased most significantly in the mutants. Thus, our study demonstrates the roles of AtJmj4 and ELF6 as H3K4 demethylases directly repressing FT chromatin and preventing precocious flowering in Arabidopsis.

Epigenetic characterization of the vegetative and floral stages of azalea buds: dynamics of DNA methylation and histone H4 acetylation

Floral induction in plants is achieved through a complex genetic network and regulated by multiple environmental and endogenous cues. Epigenetic control is determinative in plants for coordinating the switch to flowering under favorable environmental conditions and achieving reproductive success. Global DNA methylation, whose increase is associated with heterochromatinization-cell differentiation, and histone H4 acetylation, which is linked to euchromatin, were analyzed in vegetative and floral buds of azalea in order to study the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in the floral development of woody plants. The results showed an increase of DNA methylation in floral buds in contrast to the decrease observed for acetylated H4 (AcH4) levels. In addition, when the distributions of 5-mdC and AcH4 in vegetative and floral buds of azalea were analyzed by immunodetection, opposite patterns in their distribution were revealed and confirmed the existence of different cell types in the shoot apical meristem with varying degrees of differentiation.

ARABIDOPSIS TRITHORAX-RELATED7 is required for methylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 and for transcriptional activation of FLOWERING LOCUS C

In the winter-annual accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana, presence of an active allele of FRIGIDA (FRI) elevates expression of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), a repressor of flowering, and thus confers a vernalization requirement. FLC activation by FRI involves methylation of Lys 4 of histone H3 (H3K4) at FLC chromatin. Many multicellular organisms that have been examined contain two classes of H3K4 methylases, a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Set1 class and a class related to Drosophila melanogaster Trithorax. In this work, we demonstrate that ARABIDOPSIS TRITHORAX-RELATED7 (ATXR7), a putative Set1 class H3K4 methylase, is required for proper FLC expression. The atxr7 mutation partially suppresses the delayed flowering of a FRI-containing line. The rapid flowering of atxr7 is associated with reduced FLC expression and is accompanied by decreased H3K4 methylation and increased H3K27 methylation at FLC. Thus, ATXR7 is required for the proper levels of these histone modifications that set the level of FLC expression to create a vernalization requirement in winter-annual accessions. Previously, it has been reported that lesions in ATX1, which encodes a Trithorax class H3K4 methylase, partially suppress the delayed flowering of winter-annual Arabidopsis. We show that the flowering phenotype of atx1 atxr7 double mutants is additive relative to those of single mutants. Therefore, both classes of H3K4 methylases appear to be required for proper regulation of FLC expression.

Identification of flowering genes in strawberry, a perennial SD plant

BACKGROUND

We are studying the regulation of flowering in perennial plants by using diploid wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) as a model. Wild strawberry is a facultative short-day plant with an obligatory short-day requirement at temperatures above 15 degrees C. At lower temperatures, however, flowering induction occurs irrespective of photoperiod. In addition to short-day genotypes, everbearing forms of wild strawberry are known. In 'Baron Solemacher' recessive alleles of an unknown repressor, SEASONAL FLOWERING LOCUS (SFL), are responsible for continuous flowering habit. Although flower induction has a central effect on the cropping potential, the molecular control of flowering in strawberries has not been studied and the genetic flowering pathways are still poorly understood. The comparison of everbearing and short-day genotypes of wild strawberry could facilitate our understanding of fundamental molecular mechanisms regulating perennial growth cycle in plants.

RESULTS

We have searched homologs for 118 Arabidopsis flowering time genes from Fragaria by EST sequencing and bioinformatics analysis and identified 66 gene homologs that by sequence similarity, putatively correspond to genes of all known genetic flowering pathways. The expression analysis of 25 selected genes representing various flowering pathways did not reveal large differences between the everbearing and the short-day genotypes. However, putative floral identity and floral integrator genes AP1 and LFY were co-regulated during early floral development. AP1 mRNA was specifically accumulating in the shoot apices of the everbearing genotype, indicating its usability as a marker for floral initiation. Moreover, we showed that flowering induction in everbearing 'Baron Solemacher' and 'Hawaii-4' was inhibited by short-day and low temperature, in contrast to short-day genotypes.

CONCLUSION

We have shown that many central genetic components of the flowering pathways in Arabidopsis can be identified from strawberry. However, novel regulatory mechanisms exist, like SFL that functions as a switch between short-day/low temperature and long-day/high temperature flowering responses between the short-day genotype and the everbearing 'Baron Solemacher'. The identification of putative flowering gene homologs and AP1 as potential marker gene for floral initiation will strongly facilitate the exploration of strawberry flowering pathways.