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Alakärppä E, Salo HM, Suokas M, Jokipii-Lukkari S, Vuosku J, Häggman H. Targeted bisulfite sequencing of Scots pine adaptation-related genes. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 346:112173. [PMID: 38944158 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.112173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
During environmental changes, epigenetic processes can enable adaptive responses faster than natural selection. In plants, very little is known about the role of DNA methylation during long-term adaptation. Scots pine is a widely distributed coniferous species which must adapt to different environmental conditions throughout its long lifespan. Thus, epigenetic modifications may contribute towards this direction. We provide bisulfite next-generation sequencing data from the putative promoters and exons of eight adaptation-related genes (A3IP2, CCA1, COL1, COL2, FTL2, MFT1, PHYO, and ZTL) in three Scots pine populations located in northern and southern parts of Finland. DNA methylation levels were studied in the two seed tissues: the maternal megagametophyte which contributes to embryo viability, and the biparental embryo which represents the next generation. In most genes, differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs) were in line with our previously demonstrated gene expression differences found in the same Scots pine populations. In addition, we found a strong correlation of total methylation levels between the embryo and megagametophyte tissues of a given individual tree, which indicates that DNA methylation can be inherited from the maternal parent. In conclusion, our results imply that DNA methylation differences may contribute to the adaptation of Scots pine populations in different climatic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmi Alakärppä
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, Oulu FI-90014, Finland.
| | - Heikki M Salo
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, Oulu FI-90014, Finland
| | - Marko Suokas
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, Oulu FI-90014, Finland
| | - Soile Jokipii-Lukkari
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, Oulu FI-90014, Finland
| | - Jaana Vuosku
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, Oulu FI-90014, Finland
| | - Hely Häggman
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, Oulu FI-90014, Finland
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2
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Cao S, Chen ZJ. Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance during plant evolution and breeding. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024:S1360-1385(24)00112-2. [PMID: 38806375 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2024.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Plants can program and reprogram their genomes to create genetic variation and epigenetic modifications, leading to phenotypic plasticity. Although consequences of genetic changes are comprehensible, the basis for transgenerational inheritance of epigenetic variation is elusive. This review addresses contributions of external (environmental) and internal (genomic) factors to the establishment and maintenance of epigenetic memory during plant evolution, crop domestication, and modern breeding. Dynamic and pervasive changes in DNA methylation and chromatin modifications provide a diverse repertoire of epigenetic variation potentially for transgenerational inheritance. Elucidating and harnessing epigenetic inheritance will help us develop innovative breeding strategies and biotechnological tools to improve crop yield and resilience in the face of environmental challenges. Beyond plants, epigenetic principles are shared across sexually reproducing organisms including humans with relevance to medicine and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Cao
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604, Singapore
| | - Z Jeffrey Chen
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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3
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Chen B, Wang M, Guo Y, Zhang Z, Zhou W, Cao L, Zhang T, Ali S, Xie L, Li Y, Zinta G, Sun S, Zhang Q. Climate-related naturally occurring epimutation and their roles in plant adaptation in A. thaliana. Mol Ecol 2024:e17356. [PMID: 38634782 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
DNA methylation has been proposed to be an important mechanism that allows plants to respond to their environments sometimes entirely uncoupled from genetic variation. To understand the genetic basis, biological functions and climatic relationships of DNA methylation at a population scale in Arabidopsis thaliana, we performed a genome-wide association analysis with high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and found that ~56% on average, especially in the CHH sequence context (71%), of the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) are not tagged by SNPs. Among them, a total of 3235 DMRs are significantly associated with gene expressions and potentially heritable. 655 of the 3235 DMRs are associated with climatic variables, and we experimentally verified one of them, HEI10 (HUMAN ENHANCER OF CELL INVASION NO.10). Such epigenetic loci could be subjected to natural selection thereby affecting plant adaptation, and would be expected to be an indicator of accessions at risk. We therefore incorporated these climate-related DMRs into a gradient forest model, and found that the natural A. thaliana accessions in Southern Europe that may be most at risk under future climate change. Our findings highlight the importance of integrating DNA methylation that is independent of genetic variations, and climatic data to predict plants' vulnerability to future climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- The Center for Basic Forestry Research, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- College of Biology Resources and Environmental Sciences, Jishou University, Jishou, China
| | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- The Center for Basic Forestry Research, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Yile Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- The Center for Basic Forestry Research, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Zihui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- The Center for Basic Forestry Research, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- The Center for Basic Forestry Research, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Lesheng Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- The Center for Basic Forestry Research, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Tianxu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- The Center for Basic Forestry Research, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Shahid Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- The Center for Basic Forestry Research, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Linan Xie
- The Center for Basic Forestry Research, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuhua Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Gaurav Zinta
- Integrative Plant AdaptOmics Lab (iPAL), Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Shanwen Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- The Center for Basic Forestry Research, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Qingzhu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- The Center for Basic Forestry Research, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
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Türkoğlu A, Haliloğlu K, Demirel F, Aydin M, Çiçek S, Yiğider E, Demirel S, Piekutowska M, Szulc P, Niedbała G. Machine Learning Analysis of the Impact of Silver Nitrate and Silver Nanoparticles on Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.): Callus Induction, Plant Regeneration, and DNA Methylation. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:4151. [PMID: 38140479 PMCID: PMC10747064 DOI: 10.3390/plants12244151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to comprehend the efficiency of wheat regeneration, callus induction, and DNA methylation through the application of mathematical frameworks and artificial intelligence (AI)-based models. This research aimed to explore the impact of treatments with AgNO3 and Ag-NPs on various parameters. The study specifically concentrated on analyzing RAPD profiles and modeling regeneration parameters. The treatments and molecular findings served as input variables in the modeling process. It included the use of AgNO3 and Ag-NPs at different concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg L-1). The in vitro and epigenetic characteristics were analyzed using several machine learning (ML) methods, including support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), k-nearest neighbor classifier (KNN), and Gaussian processes classifier (GP) methods. This study's results revealed that the highest values for callus induction (CI%) and embryogenic callus induction (EC%) occurred at a concentration of 2 mg L-1 of Ag-NPs. Additionally, the regeneration efficiency (RE) parameter reached its peak at a concentration of 8 mg L-1 of AgNO3. Taking an epigenetic approach, AgNO3 at a concentration of 2 mg L-1 demonstrated the highest levels of genomic template stability (GTS), at 79.3%. There was a positive correlation seen between increased levels of AgNO3 and DNA hypermethylation. Conversely, elevated levels of Ag-NPs were associated with DNA hypomethylation. The models were used to estimate the relationships between the input elements, including treatments, concentration, GTS rates, and Msp I and Hpa II polymorphism, and the in vitro output parameters. The findings suggested that the XGBoost model exhibited superior performance scores for callus induction (CI), as evidenced by an R2 score of 51.5%, which explained the variances. Additionally, the RF model explained 71.9% of the total variance and showed superior efficacy in terms of EC%. Furthermore, the GP model, which provided the most robust statistics for RE, yielded an R2 value of 52.5%, signifying its ability to account for a substantial portion of the total variance present in the data. This study exemplifies the application of various machine learning models in the cultivation of mature wheat embryos under the influence of treatments and concentrations involving AgNO3 and Ag-NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aras Türkoğlu
- Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya 42310, Türkiye
| | - Kamil Haliloğlu
- Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Ataturk University, Erzurum 25240, Türkiye;
| | - Fatih Demirel
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Igdır University, Igdir 76000, Türkiye;
| | - Murat Aydin
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ataturk University, Erzurum 25240, Türkiye; (M.A.); (S.Ç.); (E.Y.)
| | - Semra Çiçek
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ataturk University, Erzurum 25240, Türkiye; (M.A.); (S.Ç.); (E.Y.)
| | - Esma Yiğider
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ataturk University, Erzurum 25240, Türkiye; (M.A.); (S.Ç.); (E.Y.)
| | - Serap Demirel
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van 65080, Türkiye;
| | - Magdalena Piekutowska
- Department of Geoecology and Geoinformation, Institute of Biology and Earth Sciences, Pomeranian University in Słupsk, 27 Partyzantów St., 76-200 Słupsk, Poland;
| | - Piotr Szulc
- Department of Agronomy, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Gniewko Niedbała
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland
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Fallet M, Wilson R, Sarkies P. Cisplatin exposure alters tRNA-derived small RNAs but does not affect epimutations in C. elegans. BMC Biol 2023; 21:276. [PMID: 38031056 PMCID: PMC10688063 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01767-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The individual lifestyle and environment of an organism can influence its phenotype and potentially the phenotype of its offspring. The different genetic and non-genetic components of the inheritance system and their mutual interactions are key mechanisms to generate inherited phenotypic changes. Epigenetic changes can be transmitted between generations independently from changes in DNA sequence. In Caenorhabditis elegans, epigenetic differences, i.e. epimutations, mediated by small non-coding RNAs, particularly 22G-RNAs, as well as chromatin have been identified, and their average persistence is three to five generations. In addition, previous research showed that some epimutations had a longer duration and concerned genes that were enriched for multiple components of xenobiotic response pathways. These results raise the possibility that environmental stresses might change the rate at which epimutations occur, with potential significance for adaptation. RESULTS In this work, we explore this question by propagating C. elegans lines either in control conditions or in moderate or high doses of cisplatin, which introduces genotoxic stress by damaging DNA. Our results show that cisplatin has a limited effect on global small non-coding RNA epimutations and epimutations in gene expression levels. However, cisplatin exposure leads to increased fluctuations in the levels of small non-coding RNAs derived from tRNA cleavage. We show that changes in tRNA-derived small RNAs may be associated with gene expression changes. CONCLUSIONS Our work shows that epimutations are not substantially altered by cisplatin exposure but identifies transient changes in tRNA-derived small RNAs as a potential source of variation induced by genotoxic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Fallet
- Department of Biochemistry, Evolutionary Epigenetics Group, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, South Parks Rd., Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK.
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Fakultetsgatan 1, 70182, Örebro, Sweden.
| | - Rachel Wilson
- Department of Biochemistry, Evolutionary Epigenetics Group, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, South Parks Rd., Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Peter Sarkies
- Department of Biochemistry, Evolutionary Epigenetics Group, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, South Parks Rd., Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK.
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Kenchanmane Raju SK, Ledford M, Niederhuth CE. DNA methylation signatures of duplicate gene evolution in angiosperms. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023:kiad220. [PMID: 37061825 PMCID: PMC10400039 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Gene duplication is a source of evolutionary novelty. DNA methylation may play a role in the evolution of duplicate genes (paralogs) through its association with gene expression. While this relationship has been examined to varying extents in a few individual species, the generalizability of these results at either a broad phylogenetic scale with species of differing duplication histories or across a population remains unknown. We applied a comparative epigenomics approach to 43 angiosperm species across the phylogeny and a population of 928 Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) accessions, examining the association of DNA methylation with paralog evolution. Genic DNA methylation was differentially associated with duplication type, the age of duplication, sequence evolution, and gene expression. Whole genome duplicates were typically enriched for CG-only gene-body methylated or unmethylated genes, while single-gene duplications were typically enriched for non-CG methylated or unmethylated genes. Non-CG methylation, in particular, was characteristic of more recent single-gene duplicates. Core angiosperm gene families differentiated into those which preferentially retain paralogs and 'duplication-resistant' families, which convergently reverted to singletons following duplication. Duplication-resistant families that still have paralogous copies were, uncharacteristically for core angiosperm genes, enriched for non-CG methylation. Non-CG methylated paralogs had higher rates of sequence evolution, higher frequency of presence-absence variation, and more limited expression. This suggests that silencing by non-CG methylation may be important to maintaining dosage following duplication and be a precursor to fractionation. Our results indicate that genic methylation marks differing evolutionary trajectories and fates between paralogous genes and have a role in maintaining dosage following duplication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chad E Niederhuth
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- AgBioResearch, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Epigenetic Changes Occurring in Plant Inbreeding. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065407. [PMID: 36982483 PMCID: PMC10048984 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Inbreeding is the crossing of closely related individuals in nature or a plantation or self-pollinating plants, which produces plants with high homozygosity. This process can reduce genetic diversity in the offspring and decrease heterozygosity, whereas inbred depression (ID) can often reduce viability. Inbred depression is common in plants and animals and has played a significant role in evolution. In the review, we aim to show that inbreeding can, through the action of epigenetic mechanisms, affect gene expression, resulting in changes in the metabolism and phenotype of organisms. This is particularly important in plant breeding because epigenetic profiles can be linked to the deterioration or improvement of agriculturally important characteristics.
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8
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Kosová V, Latzel V, Hadincová V, Münzbergová Z. Effect of DNA methylation, modified by 5-azaC, on ecophysiological responses of a clonal plant to changing climate. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17262. [PMID: 36241768 PMCID: PMC9568541 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22125-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is expected to be an important mechanism behind phenotypic plasticity. Whether epigenetic regulation affects species ecophysiological adaptations to changing climate remains largely unexplored. We compared ecophysiological traits between individuals treated with 5-azaC, assumed to lead to DNA demethylation, with control individuals of a clonal grass originating from and grown under different climates, simulating different directions and magnitudes of climate change. We linked the ecophysiological data to proxies of fitness. Main effects of plant origin and cultivating conditions predicted variation in plant traits, but 5-azaC did not. Effects of 5-azaC interacted with conditions of cultivation and plant origin. The direction of the 5-azaC effects suggests that DNA methylation does not reflect species long-term adaptations to climate of origin and species likely epigenetically adjusted to the conditions experienced during experiment set-up. Ecophysiology translated to proxies of fitness, but the intensity and direction of the relationships were context dependent and affected by 5-azaC. The study suggests that effects of DNA methylation depend on conditions of plant origin and current climate. Direction of 5-azaC effects suggests limited role of epigenetic modifications in long-term adaptation of plants. It rather facilitates fast adaptations to temporal fluctuations of the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Kosová
- grid.4491.80000 0004 1937 116XDepartment of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vít Latzel
- grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Průhonice, Czech Republic
| | - Věroslava Hadincová
- grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Průhonice, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Münzbergová
- grid.4491.80000 0004 1937 116XDepartment of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic ,grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Průhonice, Czech Republic
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9
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El-Shehawi AM, Elseehy MA, Elseehy MM. CpG Methylation of the Proximal Promoter Region Regulates the Expression of NAC6D Gene in Response to High Temperature in Wheat (Triticum aestivum). CYTOL GENET+ 2022. [DOI: 10.3103/s009545272205005x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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10
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Popov VN, Syromyatnikov MY, Franceschi C, Moskalev AA, Krutovsky KV, Krutovsky KV. Genetic mechanisms of aging in plants: What can we learn from them? Ageing Res Rev 2022; 77:101601. [PMID: 35278719 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Plants hold all records in longevity. Their aging is a complex process. In the presented review, we analyzed published data on various aspects of plant aging with focus on any inferences that could shed a light on aging in animals and help to fight it in human. Plant aging can be caused by many factors, such as telomere depletion, genomic instability, loss of proteostasis, changes in intercellular interaction, desynchronosis, autophagy misregulation, epigenetic changes and others. Plants have developed a number of mechanisms to increase lifespan. Among these mechanisms are gene duplication ("genetic backup"), the active work of telomerases, abundance of meristematic cells, capacity of maintaining the meristems permanently active and continuous activity of phytohormones. Plant aging usually occurs throughout the whole perennial life, but could be also seasonal senescence. Study of causes for seasonal aging can also help to uncover the mechanisms of plant longevity. The influence of different factors such as microbiome communities, glycation, alternative oxidase activity, mitochondrial dysfunction on plant longevity was also reviewed. Adaptive mechanisms of long-lived plants are considered. Further comparative study of the mechanisms underlying longevity of plants is necessary. This will allow us to reach a potentially new level of understanding of the aging process of plants.
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Thomson K, Game J, Karouta C, Morgan IG, Ashby R. Correlation between small-scale methylation changes and gene expression during the development of myopia. FASEB J 2021; 36:e22129. [PMID: 34958689 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101487r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Visually induced changes in the expression of early growth response-1 (EGR1), FBJ osteosarcoma oncogene (FOS), and NGFI-A binding protein-2 (NAB2) appear to form a part of a retinal network fundamental to ocular growth regulation, and thus, the development of myopia (short-sightedness). However, it is unclear how environmental (visual) cues are translated into these molecular changes. One possibility is through epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, a known regulator of such processes. By sequencing bisulfite-converted DNA amplicons, this study examined whether changes in DNA methylation occur within specific regulatory and promoter regions of EGR1, FOS, and NAB2 during the periods of increased and decreased ocular growth in chicks. Visually induced changes in ocular growth rates were associated with single-point, but not large-scale, shifts in methylation levels within the investigated regions. Analysis of methylation pattern variability (entropy) demonstrated that the observed methylation changes are occurring within small subpopulations of retinal cells. This concurs with previous observations that EGR1 and FOS are differentially regulated at the peptide level within specific retinal cell types. Together, the findings of this study support a potential role for DNA methylation in the translation of external visual cues into molecular changes critical for ocular growth regulation and myopia development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Thomson
- Centre for Research in Therapeutic Solutions, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Jeremy Game
- Centre for Research in Therapeutic Solutions, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Cindy Karouta
- Centre for Research in Therapeutic Solutions, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Ian G Morgan
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Regan Ashby
- Centre for Research in Therapeutic Solutions, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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12
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Kakoulidou I, Avramidou EV, Baránek M, Brunel-Muguet S, Farrona S, Johannes F, Kaiserli E, Lieberman-Lazarovich M, Martinelli F, Mladenov V, Testillano PS, Vassileva V, Maury S. Epigenetics for Crop Improvement in Times of Global Change. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:766. [PMID: 34439998 PMCID: PMC8389687 DOI: 10.3390/biology10080766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetics has emerged as an important research field for crop improvement under the on-going climatic changes. Heritable epigenetic changes can arise independently of DNA sequence alterations and have been associated with altered gene expression and transmitted phenotypic variation. By modulating plant development and physiological responses to environmental conditions, epigenetic diversity-naturally, genetically, chemically, or environmentally induced-can help optimise crop traits in an era challenged by global climate change. Beyond DNA sequence variation, the epigenetic modifications may contribute to breeding by providing useful markers and allowing the use of epigenome diversity to predict plant performance and increase final crop production. Given the difficulties in transferring the knowledge of the epigenetic mechanisms from model plants to crops, various strategies have emerged. Among those strategies are modelling frameworks dedicated to predicting epigenetically controlled-adaptive traits, the use of epigenetics for in vitro regeneration to accelerate crop breeding, and changes of specific epigenetic marks that modulate gene expression of traits of interest. The key challenge that agriculture faces in the 21st century is to increase crop production by speeding up the breeding of resilient crop species. Therefore, epigenetics provides fundamental molecular information with potential direct applications in crop enhancement, tolerance, and adaptation within the context of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Kakoulidou
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Liesel-Beckmann-Str. 2, 85354 Freising, Germany; (I.K.); (F.J.)
| | - Evangelia V. Avramidou
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Dimitra (ELGO-DIMITRA), 11528 Athens, Greece;
| | - Miroslav Baránek
- Faculty of Horticulture, Mendeleum—Institute of Genetics, Mendel University in Brno, Valtická 334, 69144 Lednice, Czech Republic;
| | - Sophie Brunel-Muguet
- UMR 950 Ecophysiologie Végétale, Agronomie et Nutritions N, C, S, UNICAEN, INRAE, Normandie Université, CEDEX, F-14032 Caen, France;
| | - Sara Farrona
- Plant and AgriBiosciences Centre, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland;
| | - Frank Johannes
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Liesel-Beckmann-Str. 2, 85354 Freising, Germany; (I.K.); (F.J.)
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenberg Str. 2a, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Eirini Kaiserli
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Bower Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK;
| | - Michal Lieberman-Lazarovich
- Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel;
| | - Federico Martinelli
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy;
| | - Velimir Mladenov
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Sq. Dositeja Obradovića 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia;
| | - Pilar S. Testillano
- Pollen Biotechnology of Crop Plants Group, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas-(CIB-CSIC), Ramiro Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Valya Vassileva
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. Georgi Bonchev Str., Bldg. 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Stéphane Maury
- Laboratoire de Biologie des Ligneux et des Grandes Cultures, INRAE, EA1207 USC1328, Université d’Orléans, F-45067 Orléans, France
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S Alotaibi S, El-Shehawi AM, M Elseehy M. Heat Shock Proteins Expression Is Regulated by Promoter CpG Methylation/demethylation under Heat Stress in Wheat Varieties. Pak J Biol Sci 2021; 23:1310-1320. [PMID: 32981265 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2020.1310.1320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Heat shock proteins are induced by high temperature and other environmental stimuli to protect cellular proteins. Despite extensive research on the molecular response to heat stress, the effect of high temperatures on genes and pathways remains unclear. This study investigated the expression of the HSP17 gene in nine Egyptian wheat varieties and the role of HSP17 promoter CpG methylation in the regulation of HSP17 under high temperature. MATERIALS AND METHODS The HSP17 expression was investigated by using semi-quantitative PCR analysis. Methylation at the HSP17 promoter proximal region was analyzed using bisulphite sequencing and CpG viewer software. RESULTS Under normal conditions, HSP17 and methyltransferase 3 (MET3) exhibited similar expression levels in the 9 studied varieties. After exposure to high temperature, the expression level of HSP17 in Giza155 was barely detected. Among the nine varieties, the expression level of HSP17 was highest in Giza168 (11.3 folds of Giza155). Analysis of methylation of 14 CpG islands at the HSP17 proximal promoter sequence showed that methylation of 10 CpG islands differed only by 10-20%, whereas methylation at the other 4 CpGs differed by 56.7-60%. The high expression of HSP17 in Giza168 in response to high temperature was associated with low methylation of four CpGs and low MET3 expression, whereas low expression of HSP17 in Giza155 was associated with high methylation and high MET3 expression. CONCLUSION The results can aid the development of next-generation approaches to the evaluation of commercial wheat varieties and the development of next-generation approaches to plant breeding employing epiallele integration.
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Mounger J, Ainouche ML, Bossdorf O, Cavé-Radet A, Li B, Parepa M, Salmon A, Yang J, Richards CL. Epigenetics and the success of invasive plants. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200117. [PMID: 33866809 PMCID: PMC8059582 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological invasions impose ecological and economic problems on a global scale, but also provide extraordinary opportunities for studying contemporary evolution. It is critical to understand the evolutionary processes that underly invasion success in order to successfully manage existing invaders, and to prevent future invasions. As successful invasive species sometimes are suspected to rapidly adjust to their new environments in spite of very low genetic diversity, we are obliged to re-evaluate genomic-level processes that translate into phenotypic diversity. In this paper, we review work that supports the idea that trait variation, within and among invasive populations, can be created through epigenetic or other non-genetic processes, particularly in clonal invaders where somatic changes can persist indefinitely. We consider several processes that have been implicated as adaptive in invasion success, focusing on various forms of 'genomic shock' resulting from exposure to environmental stress, hybridization and whole-genome duplication (polyploidy), and leading to various patterns of gene expression re-programming and epigenetic changes that contribute to phenotypic variation or even novelty. These mechanisms can contribute to transgressive phenotypes, including hybrid vigour and novel traits, and may thus help to understand the huge successes of some plant invaders, especially those that are genetically impoverished. This article is part of the theme issue 'How does epigenetics influence the course of evolution?'
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannie Mounger
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33617, USA
| | - Malika L. Ainouche
- UMR CNRS 6553 ECOBIO, OSUR, Université de Rennes 1, Campus Scientifique de Beaulieu, Rennes, France
| | - Oliver Bossdorf
- Plant Evolutionary Ecology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Armand Cavé-Radet
- UMR CNRS 6553 ECOBIO, OSUR, Université de Rennes 1, Campus Scientifique de Beaulieu, Rennes, France
- Plant Evolutionary Ecology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bo Li
- National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Madalin Parepa
- Plant Evolutionary Ecology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Armel Salmon
- UMR CNRS 6553 ECOBIO, OSUR, Université de Rennes 1, Campus Scientifique de Beaulieu, Rennes, France
| | - Ji Yang
- National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Christina L. Richards
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33617, USA
- Plant Evolutionary Ecology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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15
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Zhao T, Mei H, Cao Z, Wang L, Tao X, Feng S, Fang L, Guan X. Absence of CG methylation alters the long noncoding transcriptome landscape in multiple species. FEBS Lett 2021; 595:1734-1747. [PMID: 33950520 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The noncoding regions throughout the genome are in large part comprised of transposable elements (TEs), some of which are functionalized with long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs). DNA methylation is predominantly associated with TEs, but little is known about its contribution to the transcription of lincRNAs. Here, we examine the lincRNA profiles of DNA methylation-related mutants of five species, Arabidopsis, rice, tomato, maize, and mouse, to elucidate patterns in lincRNA regulation under altered DNA methylation status. Significant activation of lincRNAs was observed in the absence of CG DNA methylation rather than non-CG. Our study establishes a working model of the contribution of DNA methylation to regulation of the dynamic activity of lincRNA transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huan Mei
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zeyi Cao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Luyao Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,College of Agriculture, Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Cotton Education, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Tao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shouli Feng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lei Fang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xueying Guan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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16
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Lu Y, Song Y, Liu L, Wang T. DNA methylation dynamics of sperm cell lineage development in tomato. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 105:565-579. [PMID: 33249677 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
During the sexual reproduction of higher plants, DNA methylation and transcription are broadly changed to reshape a microspore into two sperm cells (SCs) and a vegetative cell (VC). However, when and how the DNA methylation of SCs is established remains not fully understood. Here we investigate the DNA methylation (5 mC) dynamics of SC lineage and the VC in tomato using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing. We find the asymmetric division of the microspore gives its two daughter cells differential methylome. Compared with the generative cell (GC), the VC is hypomethylated at CG sites while hypermethylated at CHG and CHH sites, with the majority of differentially methylation regions targeted to transposable elements (TEs). SCs have a nearly identical DNA methylome to the GC, suggesting that the methylation landscape in SCs may be pre-established following the asymmetric division or inherited from the GC. The random forest classifier for predicting gene and TE expression shows that methylation within the gene body is a more powerful predictor for gene expression. Among all tested samples, gene and TE expression in the microspore may be more predictable by DNA methylation. Our results depict an intact DNA methylome landscape of SC lineage in higher plants, and reveal that the impact of DNA methylation on transcription is variant in different cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Lu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Yunyun Song
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Lingtong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Tai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
- Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
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17
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Skinner MK, Nilsson EE. Role of environmentally induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance in evolutionary biology: Unified Evolution Theory. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2021; 7:dvab012. [PMID: 34729214 PMCID: PMC8557805 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvab012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The current evolutionary biology theory primarily involves genetic alterations and random DNA sequence mutations to generate the phenotypic variation required for Darwinian natural selection to act. This neo-Darwinian evolution is termed the Modern Evolution Synthesis and has been the primary paradigm for nearly 100 years. Although environmental factors have a role in neo-Darwinian natural selection, Modern Evolution Synthesis does not consider environment to impact the basic molecular processes involved in evolution. An Extended Evolutionary Synthesis has recently developed that extends the modern synthesis to consider non-genetic processes. Over the past few decades, environmental epigenetics research has been demonstrated to regulate genetic processes and directly generate phenotypic variation independent of genetic sequence alterations. Therefore, the environment can on a molecular level through non-genetic (i.e. epigenetic) mechanisms directly influence phenotypic variation, genetic variation, inheritance and adaptation. This direct action of the environment to alter phenotype that is heritable is a neo-Lamarckian concept that can facilitate neo-Darwinian (i.e. Modern Synthesis) evolution. The integration of genetics, epigenetics, Darwinian theory, Lamarckian concepts, environment, and epigenetic inheritance provides a paradigm shift in evolution theory. The role of environmental-induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance in evolution is presented to describe a more unified theory of evolutionary biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K Skinner
- **Correspondence address. Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA. Tel: +1 509-335-1524; E-mail:
| | - Eric E Nilsson
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
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18
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Quantitative Epigenetics: A New Avenue for Crop Improvement. EPIGENOMES 2020; 4:epigenomes4040025. [PMID: 34968304 PMCID: PMC8594725 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes4040025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant breeding conventionally depends on genetic variability available in a species to improve a particular trait in the crop. However, epigenetic diversity may provide an additional tier of variation. The recent advent of epigenome technologies has elucidated the role of epigenetic variation in shaping phenotype. Furthermore, the development of epigenetic recombinant inbred lines (epi-RILs) in model species such as Arabidopsis has enabled accurate genetic analysis of epigenetic variation. Subsequently, mapping of epigenetic quantitative trait loci (epiQTL) allowed association between epialleles and phenotypic traits. Likewise, epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) and epi-genotyping by sequencing (epi-GBS) have revolutionized the field of epigenetics research in plants. Thus, quantitative epigenetics provides ample opportunities to dissect the role of epigenetic variation in trait regulation, which can be eventually utilized in crop improvement programs. Moreover, locus-specific manipulation of DNA methylation by epigenome-editing tools such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) can potentially facilitate epigenetic based molecular breeding of important crop plants.
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Mona Mohamed Elseehy. Differential Transgeneration Methylation of Exogenous Promoters in T1 Transgenic Wheat (Triticum aestivum). CYTOL GENET+ 2020. [DOI: 10.3103/s0095452720050151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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20
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du Preez PH, Breeds K, Burger NFV, Swiegers HW, Truter JC, Botha AM. DNA Methylation and Demethylation Are Regulated by Functional DNA Methyltransferases and DnTET Enzymes in Diuraphis noxia. Front Genet 2020; 11:452. [PMID: 32655611 PMCID: PMC7324797 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aphids are economically important insect pests of crops worldwide. Despite resistant varieties being available, resistance is continuously challenged and eventually broken down, posing a threat to food security. In the current study, the epigenome of two related Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia, Kurdjumov) biotypes (i.e., SA1 and SAM) that differ in virulence was investigated to elucidate its role in virulence in this species. Whole genome bisulfite sequencing covered a total of 6,846,597,083 cytosine bases for SA1 and 7,397,965,699 cytosine bases for SAM, respectively, of which a total of 70,861,462 bases (SA1) and 74, 073,939 bases (SAM) were methylated, representing 1.126 ± 0.321% (SA1) and 1.105 ± 0.295% (SAM) methylation in their genomes. The sequence reads were analyzed for contexts of DNA methylation and the results revealed that RWA has methylation in all contexts (CpG, CHG and CHH), with the majority of methylation within the CpG context (± 5.19%), while the other contexts show much lower levels of methylation (CHG - ± 0.27%; CHH - ± 0.34%). The top strand was slightly (0.02%) more methylated than the bottom strand. Of the 35,493 genes that mapped, we also analyzed the contexts of methylation of each of these and found that the CpG methylation was much higher in genic regions than in intergenic regions. The CHG and CHH levels did not differ between genic and intergenic regions. The exonic regions of genes were more methylated (±0.56%) than the intronic regions. We also measured the 5mC and 5hmC levels between the aphid biotypes, and found little difference in 5mC levels between the biotypes, but much higher levels of 5hmC in the virulent SAM. RWA had two homologs of each of the DNA methyltransferases 1 (DNMT1a and DNMT1b) and DNMT3s (DNMT3a and DNMT3b), but only a single DNMT2, with only the expression of DNMT3 that differed significantly between the two RWA biotypes. RWA has a single ortholog of Ten eleven translocase (DnTET) in the genome. Feeding studies show that the more virulent RWA biotype SAM upregulate DnDNMT3 and DnTET in response to wheat expressing antibiosis and antixenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Anna-Maria Botha
- Department of Genetics, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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21
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Dobs YE, Ali MM. The epigenetic modulation of alcohol/ethanol and cannabis exposure/co-exposure during different stages. Open Biol 2020; 9:180115. [PMID: 30958117 PMCID: PMC6367141 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.180115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies have reported the significant economic impact of smoking cannabis and drinking alcohol In the USA. It was estimated that the costs of cannabis-related treatment, hospitalization and loss of work-related pay have amounted to $200 billion. (Andersen AM, Dogan MV, Beach SRH, Philibert RA. 2015 Genes 6, 991-1022. ( doi:10.3390/genes6040991 )). Data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions showed that individuals with general anxiety disorder and substance use disorder (GAD-SUD) have higher psychiatric comorbidity rates than those without substance use disorder (Alegría AA, Hasin DS, Nunes EV, Liu SM, Davies C, Grant BF, Blanco C. 2010 J. Clin. Psychiatry 71, 1187-1195. ( doi:10.4088/JCP.09m05328gry )). Moreover, the criminal justice system is significantly impacted by this cost (Andersen AM, Dogan MV, Beach SRH, Philibert RA. 2015 Genes 6, 991-1022. ( doi:10.3390/genes6040991 )). Despite the increasing use of cannabis, there are still too many obscure facts. One of the new areas that scientific evidence shows is impacted negatively by cannabis use is the epigenome, which is an understudied area that we are still learning about. In addition, over the past few decades, we have seen various social and healthcare changes that have raised critical questions about their ongoing roles in regulating marijuana and alcohol use. This is important because of the increasing popularity and usage across various ages especially young adults and teenagers. More than 97.5 million Americans over 12 years old have used cannabis for non-medical use despite the significant side effects, with 1 in 10 users developing cannabis dependence (Crean RD, Crane NA, Mason BJ. 2011 J. Addict. Med. 5, 1-8. ( doi:10.1097/ADM.0b013e31820c23fa ), Office of Applied Studies. 2006 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, USA.). It was reported that 16% of substance abuse admissions in the USA were for cannabis-related symptoms, which is second only to alcohol-related disorders (Agalioti T, Lomvardas S, Parekh B, Yie J, Maniatis T, Thanos D. 2000 Cell 103, 667-678. ( doi:10.1016/S0092-8674(00)00169-0 ), Soutoglou E, Talianidis I. 2002 Science 295, 1901-1904. ( doi:10.1126/science.1068356 )). Today there are thirty-one states and the District of Columbia that currently have legalized marijuana for either medical or recreational use. Data about marijuana use from NIAAA's National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) indicates that 'in total, 79 000 people were interviewed on alcohol and drug use. When examined by age young adults (ages 18-21) were found to be at highest risk for marijuana use and marijuana use disorder, with use increasing from 10.5 to 21.2% and disorder increasing from 4.4 to 7.5%'. 'Given these facts, George Koob, PhD, director of NIAAA stated the importance for the scientific community to convey this information to the public about the potential hazards of marijuana and it's use'. On the other hand, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 16 million adults suffer from alcohol use disorders. To the best of our knowledge, epigenetic mechanisms have been previously studied in alcohol and cannabis abuse separately. Recent studies highlighted the molecular mechanisms that are linked with drug-induced transcriptional regulation, behavioural abnormalities and neurodegeneration, which has emphasized the role of chromatin modification/remodelling in the generation of drug activation of certain genes and the disabling of others, and the effect of that on addiction (Maze I, Nestler EJ. 2011 Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 1216, 99-113. ( doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05893.x ); Renthal W, Nestler EJ. 2008 Trends Mol. Med. 14, 341-350. ( doi:10.1016/j.molmed.2008.06.004 )). In this review, we will give an overview of epigenome science relevant to cannabis/the endocannabinoid system and the potential of epigenetic overlap between alcohol and cannabinergic activity at different stages, to aid further investigations that could bring more treatment options to our horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasminah Elsaadany Dobs
- 1 Department of Biology and Biomedical Science, North Carolina Central University , Durham, NC , USA
| | - Mohamed Medhat Ali
- 2 Biomedical Sciences Program, Zewail City of Science and Technology , Giza , Egypt.,3 Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University , Egypt
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22
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He L, Liu Y, Lai W, Tian H, Chen L, Xie L, Liu Z. DNA sensors, crucial receptors to resist pathogens, are deregulated in colorectal cancer and associated with initiation and progression of the disease. J Cancer 2020; 11:893-905. [PMID: 31949493 PMCID: PMC6959017 DOI: 10.7150/jca.34188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: DNA sensors are innate immune receptors that detect intracellular endogenous or exogenous DNA. They are critical to trigger immune response against DNA viral and intracellular bacterial infection, and are involved in inflammatory diseases and tumorigenesis. Recent accumulating evidences indicated that DNA sensors are also crucial for controlling the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, a systematic study on the expression profile of DNA sensors in CRC and their clinical significance are still lacking. Methods: We investigated the expression profile of DNA sensors in CRC and their clinical significance by taking advantage of clinical CRC samples, mouse AOM/DSS treatment model, and Oncomine ® bioinformatics platform. Results: Our study identified that the expression of DNA sensors, including AIM2, DAI, as well as inflammasome molecules ASC/IL-18, TLR9 and adaptor MyD88, and DDX60 decreased in human CRC, whereas the expression of DHX9, DHX36, and DDX41 significantly increased. Among them, the expression of AIM2/ASC/IL-18, MyD88, DAI, DHX36, and DDX60 were associated with cancer stages. In addition, we also performed correlation analysis between DNA sensors and their main signaling molecules to explore the possible mechanisms. The results showed that there were positive correlations between AIM2 and ASC/IL-18, DHX9 and MAVS, and TLR9 and MyD88 expression. In addition, the gene expression patterns of some DNA sensors were confirmed by Western-blot analysis. Conclusions: Our study revealed that the expression of multiple DNA sensors was deregulated in CRC and might be involved in tumor development. More importantly, the study identified that, among all these DNA sensors, AIM2, DAI, and DDX60 could be potentially critical for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of CRC and deserve further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangmei He
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University
| | - Yuxia Liu
- Center for Immunology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University
| | | | | | - Lingxia Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000 China
| | - Lu Xie
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000 China
| | - Zhiping Liu
- Center for Immunology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University.,School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000 China
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Monitoring of switches in heterochromatin-induced silencing shows incomplete establishment and developmental instabilities. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:20043-20053. [PMID: 31527269 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1909724116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Position effect variegation (PEV) in Drosophila results from new juxtapositions of euchromatic and heterochromatic chromosomal regions, and manifests as striking bimodal patterns of gene expression. The semirandom patterns of PEV, reflecting clonal relationships between cells, have been interpreted as gene-expression states that are set in development and thereafter maintained without change through subsequent cell divisions. The rate of instability of PEV is almost entirely unexplored beyond the final expression of the modified gene; thus the origin of the expressivity and patterns of PEV remain unexplained. Many properties of PEV are not predicted from currently accepted biochemical and theoretical models. In this work we investigate the time at which expressivity of silencing is set, and find that it is determined before heterochromatin exists. We employ a mathematical simulation and a corroborating experimental approach to monitor switching (i.e., gains and losses of silencing) through development. In contrast to current views, we find that gene silencing is incompletely set early in embryogenesis, but nevertheless is repeatedly lost and gained in individual cells throughout development. Our data support an alternative to locus-specific "epigenetic" silencing at variegating gene promoters that more fully accounts for the final patterns of PEV.
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24
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Xavier MJ, Roman SD, Aitken RJ, Nixon B. Transgenerational inheritance: how impacts to the epigenetic and genetic information of parents affect offspring health. Hum Reprod Update 2019; 25:518-540. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmz017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
BACKGROUND
A defining feature of sexual reproduction is the transmission of genomic information from both parents to the offspring. There is now compelling evidence that the inheritance of such genetic information is accompanied by additional epigenetic marks, or stable heritable information that is not accounted for by variations in DNA sequence. The reversible nature of epigenetic marks coupled with multiple rounds of epigenetic reprogramming that erase the majority of existing patterns have made the investigation of this phenomenon challenging. However, continual advances in molecular methods are allowing closer examination of the dynamic alterations to histone composition and DNA methylation patterns that accompany development and, in particular, how these modifications can occur in an individual’s germline and be transmitted to the following generation. While the underlying mechanisms that permit this form of transgenerational inheritance remain unclear, it is increasingly apparent that a combination of genetic and epigenetic modifications plays major roles in determining the phenotypes of individuals and their offspring.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
Information pertaining to transgenerational inheritance was systematically reviewed focusing primarily on mammalian cells to the exclusion of inheritance in plants, due to inherent differences in the means by which information is transmitted between generations. The effects of environmental factors and biological processes on both epigenetic and genetic information were reviewed to determine their contribution to modulating inheritable phenotypes.
SEARCH METHODS
Articles indexed in PubMed were searched using keywords related to transgenerational inheritance, epigenetic modifications, paternal and maternal inheritable traits and environmental and biological factors influencing transgenerational modifications. We sought to clarify the role of epigenetic reprogramming events during the life cycle of mammals and provide a comprehensive review of how the genomic and epigenomic make-up of progenitors may determine the phenotype of its descendants.
OUTCOMES
We found strong evidence supporting the role of DNA methylation patterns, histone modifications and even non-protein-coding RNA in altering the epigenetic composition of individuals and producing stable epigenetic effects that were transmitted from parents to offspring, in both humans and rodent species. Multiple genomic domains and several histone modification sites were found to resist demethylation and endure genome-wide reprogramming events. Epigenetic modifications integrated into the genome of individuals were shown to modulate gene expression and activity at enhancer and promoter domains, while genetic mutations were shown to alter sequence availability for methylation and histone binding. Fundamentally, alterations to the nuclear composition of the germline in response to environmental factors, ageing, diet and toxicant exposure have the potential to become hereditably transmitted.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
The environment influences the health and well-being of progeny by working through the germline to introduce spontaneous genetic mutations as well as a variety of epigenetic changes, including alterations in DNA methylation status and the post-translational modification of histones. In evolutionary terms, these changes create the phenotypic diversity that fuels the fires of natural selection. However, rather than being adaptive, such variation may also generate a plethora of pathological disease states ranging from dominant genetic disorders to neurological conditions, including spontaneous schizophrenia and autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel João Xavier
- Reproductive Science Group, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Shaun D Roman
- Reproductive Science Group, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Chemical Biology and Clinical Pharmacology, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Reproductive Science Group, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Reproductive Science Group, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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Chun HJ, Baek D, Cho HM, Jung HS, Jeong MS, Jung WH, Choi CW, Lee SH, Jin BJ, Park MS, Kim HJ, Chung WS, Lee SY, Bohnert HJ, Bressan RA, Yun DJ, Hong YS, Kim MC. Metabolic Adjustment of Arabidopsis Root Suspension Cells During Adaptation to Salt Stress and Mitotic Stress Memory. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 60:612-625. [PMID: 30496500 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcy231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Sessile plants reprogram their metabolic and developmental processes during adaptation to prolonged environmental stresses. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptation of plant cells to saline stress, we established callus suspension cell cultures from Arabidopsis roots adapted to high salt for an extended period of time. Adapted cells exhibit enhanced salt tolerance compared with control cells. Moreover, acquired salt tolerance is maintained even after the stress is relieved, indicating the existence of a memory of acquired salt tolerance during mitotic cell divisions, known as mitotic stress memory. Metabolite profiling using 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed metabolic discrimination between control, salt-adapted and stress-memory cells. Compared with control cells, salt-adapted cells accumulated higher levels of sugars, amino acids and intermediary metabolites in the shikimate pathway, such as coniferin. Moreover, adapted cells acquired thicker cell walls with higher lignin contents, suggesting the importance of adjustments of physical properties during adaptation to elevated saline conditions. When stress-memory cells were reverted to normal growth conditions, the levels of metabolites again readjusted. Whereas most of the metabolic changes reverted to levels intermediate between salt-adapted and control cells, the amounts of sugars, alanine, γ-aminobutyric acid and acetate further increased in stress-memory cells, supporting a view of their roles in mitotic stress memory. Our results provide insights into the metabolic adjustment of plant root cells during adaptation to saline conditions as well as pointing to the function of mitotic memory in acquired salt tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Jin Chun
- Institute of Agriculture & Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Dongwon Baek
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Hyun Min Cho
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Hyun Suk Jung
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Myeong Seon Jeong
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
- Chuncheon Center, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Wook-Hun Jung
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Cheol Woo Choi
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Su Hyeon Lee
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Byung Jun Jin
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Mi Suk Park
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Hyun-Jin Kim
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Woo Sik Chung
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Sang Yeol Lee
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Hans J Bohnert
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Ray A Bressan
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Dae-Jin Yun
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Shick Hong
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Min Chul Kim
- Institute of Agriculture & Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
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26
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Radosavljević I, Bogdanović S, Celep F, Filipović M, Satovic Z, Surina B, Liber Z. Morphological, genetic and epigenetic aspects of homoploid hybridization between Salvia officinalis L. and Salvia fruticosa Mill. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3276. [PMID: 30824783 PMCID: PMC6397195 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40080-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The inheritance of phenotypic, genetic and epigenetic traits in hybridization events is difficult to predict, as numerous evolutionary, ecological, and genetic factors can play a crucial role in the process of hybridization. In the middle Adriatic island of Vis, we investigated hybridization between Salvia officinalis and S. fruticosa at morphological, genetic and epigenetic levels. SSR results revealed that hybrid individuals were characterized by diploid set of chromosomes suggesting homoploid hybridization. A well-defined group that mostly comprised of F1 generation individuals was detected. For the majority of analysed morphological characteristics, hybrids were placed in-between parental taxa, while at the same time, values of different genetic parameters were mostly higher in hybrids than in parental species. The results revealed a high contrast in the levels of phenotypic variability and epigenetic excitation between parental taxa. Environmental niche modelling confirmed that in the studied location S. officinalis experiences optimal climatological conditions, while S. fruticosa struggles with unsuitable conditions. Very low levels of gene flow between the parental species were detected. In addition, contrasting levels of epigenetic excitation in the studied groups clearly demonstrated the importance of an epigenetic response to an altered environment and confirmed the trans-generational nature of the epigenetic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Radosavljević
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 9A, HR, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CroP-BioDiv), Svetošimunska cesta 25, HR, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sandro Bogdanović
- Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CroP-BioDiv), Svetošimunska cesta 25, HR, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Botany, Svetošimunska cesta 25, HR, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ferhat Celep
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Kırıkkale University, Kırıkkale, Turkey
| | - Maja Filipović
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 9A, HR, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zlatko Satovic
- Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CroP-BioDiv), Svetošimunska cesta 25, HR, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Seed Science and Technology, Svetošimunska cesta 25, HR, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Boštjan Surina
- Natural History Museum Rijeka, Lorenzov prolaz 1, HR, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
- University of Primorska, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, Glagoljaška 8, SI, 6000, Koper, Slovenia
| | - Zlatko Liber
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 9A, HR, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
- Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CroP-BioDiv), Svetošimunska cesta 25, HR, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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27
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Kazachenka A, Bertozzi TM, Sjoberg-Herrera MK, Walker N, Gardner J, Gunning R, Pahita E, Adams S, Adams D, Ferguson-Smith AC. Identification, Characterization, and Heritability of Murine Metastable Epialleles: Implications for Non-genetic Inheritance. Cell 2018; 175:1259-1271.e13. [PMID: 30454646 PMCID: PMC6242299 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.09.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Generally repressed by epigenetic mechanisms, retrotransposons represent around 40% of the murine genome. At the Agouti viable yellow (Avy) locus, an endogenous retrovirus (ERV) of the intracisternal A particle (IAP) class retrotransposed upstream of the agouti coat-color locus, providing an alternative promoter that is variably DNA methylated in genetically identical individuals. This results in variable expressivity of coat color that is inherited transgenerationally. Here, a systematic genome-wide screen identifies multiple C57BL/6J murine IAPs with Avy epigenetic properties. Each exhibits a stable methylation state within an individual but varies between individuals. Only in rare instances do they act as promoters controlling adjacent gene expression. Their methylation state is locus-specific within an individual, and their flanking regions are enriched for CTCF. Variably methylated IAPs are reprogrammed after fertilization and re-established as variable loci in the next generation, indicating reconstruction of metastable epigenetic states and challenging the generalizability of non-genetic inheritance at these regions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tessa M Bertozzi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | | | - Nic Walker
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Joseph Gardner
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Richard Gunning
- Experimental Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Elena Pahita
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Sarah Adams
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - David Adams
- Experimental Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
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28
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Shapturenko MN, Vakula SV, Tarutina LA, Nikitinskaya TV, Pechkovskaya TV, Mishin LA, Khotyleva LV. Allelic and epigenetic DNA variation in relation to F1 heterosis manifestation in F1 hybrids of Capsicum annuum L. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2018. [DOI: 10.18699/vj18.425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Managing F1heterosis is one of the major objectives in hybrid crop breeding programs. The classical theory considers the heterozygosity in F1hybrids to be the main factor contributing to heterosis and therefore presumes a linear relationship between the value of genetic polymorphisms in parental lines and the heterotic response of their F1offspring. Therefore, the genetic diversity information is viewed as a tool for selection of promising cross-combinations, but results published by different researchers are inconsistent. In this work, we studied the contributions of structural and nonstructural DNA polymorphisms to F1heterosis manifestation. We used SSR and methyl-sensitive AFLP (MSAP with HpaII and MspI izoshisomers) protocols for obtaining specific patterns for heterotic and nonheterotic F1hybrids of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) from a Belarusian breeding program. We found out that a certain portion of heterosis for yield-related traits might be explained by the polymorphism revealed by SSR analysis. According to our data, the total number of polymorphic SSR loci and the ratio of polymorphic and nonpolymorphic loci demonstrate a significant predictive value and can serve as additional prognostic criteria for the selection of promising cross-combinations. From the MSAP assay, we found a relationship between heterosis and the numbers of methylated and nonmethylated DNA loci for yield traits. Our results indicate that cross-hybridization may favor epiallelic modifications in F1hybrids, presumably responsible for heterosis. Thus, epigenetic DNA variation may explain the absence of a linear relationship between the level of structural DNA divergence and F1heterosis, as well as the manifestation of heterosis in crosses of related (genetically similar) accessions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. N. Shapturenko
- Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
| | - S. V. Vakula
- Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
| | - L. A. Tarutina
- Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
| | - T. V. Nikitinskaya
- Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
| | - T. V. Pechkovskaya
- Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
| | | | - L. V. Khotyleva
- Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
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29
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Münzbergová Z, Latzel V, Šurinová M, Hadincová V. DNA methylation as a possible mechanism affecting ability of natural populations to adapt to changing climate. OIKOS 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.05591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Münzbergová
- Dept of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles Univ; Prague Czech Republic
- Inst. of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences; Průhonice Czech Republic
| | - Vít Latzel
- Inst. of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences; Průhonice Czech Republic
| | - Maria Šurinová
- Dept of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles Univ; Prague Czech Republic
- Inst. of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences; Průhonice Czech Republic
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30
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Abstract
During the late 1940s and 1950s, a pseudo-scientific concept based on Marxist-Leninist ideology became internationally known as 'Lysenkoism'. Lysenkoism was a neo-Lamarckian idea, claiming that in crop plants, such as wheat, environmental influences are heritable via all cells of the organism. Lysenkoism was applied to agriculture during the Stalin era with disastrous consequences. Despite the triumphs of modern genetics, and the disproval of Lysenkoism, recent years have seen a 're-thinking' of this doctrine in Russia. This disturbing pro-Lysenko movement, which is accompanied by a growing sympathy for Stalin, claims to have its scientific roots in modern epigenetics, specifically the heritability of variation by mechanisms other than changes in DNA sequence. Based on recent research on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, its is clear that Lysenkoism has nothing to do with heritable 'epigenetic' modifications. Biologists should defend science against ideological and political interferences.
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31
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Neve P, Barney JN, Buckley Y, Cousens RD, Graham S, Jordan NR, Lawton‐Rauh A, Liebman M, Mesgaran MB, Schut M, Shaw J, Storkey J, Baraibar B, Baucom RS, Chalak M, Childs DZ, Christensen S, Eizenberg H, Fernández‐Quintanilla C, French K, Harsch M, Heijting S, Harrison L, Loddo D, Macel M, Maczey N, Merotto A, Mortensen D, Necajeva J, Peltzer DA, Recasens J, Renton M, Riemens M, Sønderskov M, Williams M, Rew L. Reviewing research priorities in weed ecology, evolution and management: a horizon scan. WEED RESEARCH 2018; 58:250-258. [PMID: 30069065 PMCID: PMC6055875 DOI: 10.1111/wre.12304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Weedy plants pose a major threat to food security, biodiversity, ecosystem services and consequently to human health and wellbeing. However, many currently used weed management approaches are increasingly unsustainable. To address this knowledge and practice gap, in June 2014, 35 weed and invasion ecologists, weed scientists, evolutionary biologists and social scientists convened a workshop to explore current and future perspectives and approaches in weed ecology and management. A horizon scanning exercise ranked a list of 124 pre-submitted questions to identify a priority list of 30 questions. These questions are discussed under seven themed headings that represent areas for renewed and emerging focus for the disciplines of weed research and practice. The themed areas considered the need for transdisciplinarity, increased adoption of integrated weed management and agroecological approaches, better understanding of weed evolution, climate change, weed invasiveness and finally, disciplinary challenges for weed science. Almost all the challenges identified rested on the need for continued efforts to diversify and integrate agroecological, socio-economic and technological approaches in weed management. These challenges are not newly conceived, though their continued prominence as research priorities highlights an ongoing intransigence that must be addressed through a more system-oriented and transdisciplinary research agenda that seeks an embedded integration of public and private research approaches. This horizon scanning exercise thus set out the building blocks needed for future weed management research and practice; however, the challenge ahead is to identify effective ways in which sufficient research and implementation efforts can be directed towards these needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Neve
- Rothamsted ResearchBiointeractions & Crop Protection DepartmentHarpendenHertfordshireUK
| | - J N Barney
- Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed ScienceVirginia TechBlacksburgVAUSA
| | - Y Buckley
- School of Natural Sciences, ZoologyTrinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - R D Cousens
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCAUSA
| | - S Graham
- School of Social SciencesThe University of New South WalesSydneyNSWAustralia
| | - N R Jordan
- Agronomy & Plant Genetics DepartmentUniversity of MinnesotaSt. PaulMNUSA
| | - A Lawton‐Rauh
- Department of Genetics and BiochemistryClemson UniversityClemsonSCUSA
| | | | - M B Mesgaran
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCAUSA
| | - M Schut
- Knowledge, Technology and Innovation GroupWageningen UniversityWageningenthe Netherlands
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)KigaliRwanda
| | - J Shaw
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQldAustralia
| | - J Storkey
- Rothamsted ResearchBiointeractions & Crop Protection DepartmentHarpendenHertfordshireUK
| | - B Baraibar
- Plant Sciences DepartmentPenn State UniversityUniversity ParkPAUSA
| | - R S Baucom
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - M Chalak
- School of Agricultural and Resource EconomicsCentre for Environmental Economics & PolicyUniversity of Western AustraliaCrawleyWAAustralia
| | - D Z Childs
- Department of Animal and Plant SciencesUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - S Christensen
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksbergDenmark
| | - H Eizenberg
- Department of Plant Pathology and Weed ResearchNewe Ya'ar Research CenterAgricultural Research Organization (ARO)Ramat YishayIsrael
| | | | - K French
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of WollongongWollongongNSWAustralia
| | - M Harsch
- Department of BiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | - S Heijting
- Wageningen University and ResearchLelystadthe Netherlands
| | - L Harrison
- Environment DepartmentUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | - D Loddo
- Institute of Agro‐environmental and forest BiologyNational Research Council (IBAF‐CNR)LegnaroItaly
| | - M Macel
- Molecular Interaction EcologyRadboud University NijmegenNijmegenthe Netherlands
| | | | - A Merotto
- Graduate Group in Plant ScienceSchool of AgricultureFederal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreBrazil
| | - D Mortensen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - J Necajeva
- Department of Plant PhysiologyFaculty of BiologyUniversity of LatviaRigaLatvia
| | - D A Peltzer
- Ecosystem Processes and Global ChangeLandcare ResearchLincolnNew Zealand
| | - J Recasens
- Horticulture, Botany and Landscaping DepartmentAgrotecnio, ETSEAUniversitat de LleidaLleidaSpain
| | - M Renton
- Schools of Biological Sciences & Agriculture and EnvironmentAustralian Herbicide Resistance Initiative and Institute of AgricultureThe University of Western AustraliaCrawleyWAAustralia
| | - M Riemens
- Environment DepartmentUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | - M Sønderskov
- Department of AgroecologyAarhus UniversityFlakkebjergDenmark
| | - M Williams
- Michael Williams & Associates Pty LtdNatural resource Management Facilitators and StrategistsSydneyNSWAustralia
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32
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A naturally occurring epiallele associates with leaf senescence and local climate adaptation in Arabidopsis accessions. Nat Commun 2018; 9:460. [PMID: 29386641 PMCID: PMC5792623 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-02839-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic variation has been proposed to facilitate adaptation to changing environments, but evidence that natural epialleles contribute to adaptive evolution has been lacking. Here we identify a retrotransposon, named “NMR19” (naturally occurring DNA methylation variation region 19), whose methylation and genomic location vary among Arabidopsis thaliana accessions. We classify NMR19 as NMR19-4 and NMR19-16 based on its location, and uncover NMR19-4 as an epiallele that controls leaf senescence by regulating the expression of PHEOPHYTIN PHEOPHORBIDE HYDROLASE (PPH). We find that the DNA methylation status of NMR19-4 is stably inherited and independent of genetic variation. In addition, further analysis indicates that DNA methylation of NMR19-4 correlates with local climates, implying that NMR19-4 is an environmentally associated epiallele. In summary, we discover a novel epiallele, and provide mechanistic insights into its origin and potential function in local climate adaptation. Epigenetic variation underlies various aspects of phenotypic diversity of plants. Here, He et al show a naturally occurring epiallele controls Arabidopsis leaf senescence by regulating the expression of PHEOPHYTIN PHEOPHORBIDE HYDROLASE (PPH), and is associated with local climate adaptation.
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33
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Ma K, Sun L, Cheng T, Pan H, Wang J, Zhang Q. Epigenetic Variance, Performing Cooperative Structure with Genetics, Is Associated with Leaf Shape Traits in Widely Distributed Populations of Ornamental Tree Prunus mume. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:41. [PMID: 29441078 PMCID: PMC5797549 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence shows that epigenetics plays an important role in phenotypic variance. However, little is known about epigenetic variation in the important ornamental tree Prunus mume. We used amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) techniques, and association analysis and sequencing to investigate epigenetic variation and its relationships with genetic variance, environment factors, and traits. By performing leaf sampling, the relative total methylation level (29.80%) was detected in 96 accessions of P. mume. And the relative hemi-methylation level (15.77%) was higher than the relative full methylation level (14.03%). The epigenetic diversity (I∗ = 0.575, h∗ = 0.393) was higher than the genetic diversity (I = 0.484, h = 0.319). The cultivated population displayed greater epigenetic diversity than the wild populations in both southwest and southeast China. We found that epigenetic variance and genetic variance, and environmental factors performed cooperative structures, respectively. In particular, leaf length, width and area were positively correlated with relative full methylation level and total methylation level, indicating that the DNA methylation level played a role in trait variation. In total, 203 AFLP and 423 MSAP associated markers were detected and 68 of them were sequenced. Homologous analysis and functional prediction suggested that the candidate marker-linked genes were essential for leaf morphology development and metabolism, implying that these markers play critical roles in the establishment of leaf length, width, area, and ratio of length to width.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaifeng Ma
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Lidan Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Tangren Cheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Huitang Pan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Qixiang Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
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Kubota T. Preemptive Epigenetic Medicine Based on Fetal Programming. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1012:85-95. [PMID: 29956197 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-5526-3_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) refers to the concept that environmental stress during pregnancy alters the programmed fetal development and subsequently causes disorders, such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, in adulthood. Epigenetics is a gene regulation mechanism that does not depend on DNA sequence but on chemical modifications of DNA. Several lines of evidence suggest that environmental stress in the fetal period alters the epigenetic state of genes, leading to permanent gene dysregulation, which may be associated with disorders that emerge after birth. Such stresses include malnutrition, which may be associated with type 2 diabetes, and mental stress, which may be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. It has also been demonstrated that environmental stress-induced epigenetic alterations can be transmitted to the next generation via disease phenotypes. However, since epigenetic modification is an internal system based on attachment and detachment of chemical residues on a DNA sequence, it is reversible and potentially treatable. In fact, recent studies demonstrated that some drugs and early interventions are effective at preventing epigenetic disorders. Therefore, preventive and preemptive medicine is possible for disorders caused by alterations in programming during fetal and early periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeo Kubota
- Faculty of Child Studies, Seitoku University, Matsudo, Chiba, Japan.
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Varga S, Soulsbury CD. Paternal arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal status affects DNA methylation in seeds. Biol Lett 2017; 13:rsbl.2017.0407. [PMID: 28931731 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2017.0407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Most land plants grow in association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in their roots and these fungi can cause transgenerational effects on plants' offspring. These may be caused by changes in DNA methylation of the offspring. In this study, we compared the amount of global DNA methylation in seeds of the gynodioecious plant Geranium sylvaticum in relation to the gender and the AMF status of the parents producing the seeds. The amount of DNA methylated was positively related to seed mass. Seeds produced by females had a similar proportion of methylated DNA regardless of the AMF status of the father siring the seed. By contrast, seeds from hermaphrodites had higher DNA methylation when sired by AMF fathers. We show to the best of our knowledge for the first time, that the AMF status of fathers can affect DNA methylation in seeds and that these changes in DNA methylation are further dependent on the gender of the mother producing the seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Varga
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Carl D Soulsbury
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
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Abstract
Dynamic reshuffling of the chromatin landscape is a recurrent theme orchestrated in many, if not all, plant developmental transitions and adaptive responses. Spatiotemporal variations of the chromatin properties on regulatory genes and on structural genomic elements trigger the establishment of distinct transcriptional contexts, which in some instances can epigenetically be inherited. Studies on plant cell plasticity during the differentiation of stem cells, including gametogenesis, or the specialization of vegetative cells in various organs, as well as the investigation of allele-specific gene regulation have long been impaired by technical challenges in generating specific chromatin profiles in complex or hardly accessible cell populations. Recent advances in increasing the sensitivity of genome-enabled technologies and in the isolation of specific cell types have allowed for overcoming such limitations. These developments hint at multilevel regulatory events ranging from nucleosome accessibility and composition to higher order chromatin organization and genome topology. Uncovering the large extent to which chromatin dynamics and epigenetic processes influence gene expression is therefore not surprisingly revolutionizing current views on plant molecular genetics and (epi)genomics as well as their perspectives in eco-evolutionary biology. Here, we introduce current methodologies to probe genome-wide chromatin variations for which protocols are detailed in this book chapter, with an emphasis on the plant model species Arabidopsis.
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Sork VL. Genomic Studies of Local Adaptation in Natural Plant Populations. J Hered 2017; 109:3-15. [DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esx091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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An Arabidopsis Natural Epiallele Maintained by a Feed-Forward Silencing Loop between Histone and DNA. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006551. [PMID: 28060933 PMCID: PMC5257005 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The extent of epigenetic variation is currently well documented, but the number of natural epialleles described so far remains very limited. Determining the relevance of epigenetic changes for natural variation is an important question of research that we investigate by isolating natural epialleles segregating in Arabidopsis recombinant populations. We previously described a genetic incompatibility among Arabidopsis strains based on the silencing of a gene involved in fitness. Here, we isolated a new epiallele resulting from the silencing of a transfer-RNA editing gene in an Arabidopsis accession from the Netherlands (Nok-1). Crosses with the reference accession Col-0 show a complete incompatibility between this epiallele and another locus localized on a different chromosome. We demonstrate that conversion of an unmethylated version of this allele occurs in hybrids, associated with modifications of small RNA populations. These epialleles can also spontaneously revert within the population. Furthermore, we bring evidence that neither METHYLTRANSFERASE 1, maintaining methylation at CGs, nor components of RNA-directed DNA methylation, are key factors for the transmission of the epiallele over generations. This depends only on the self-reinforcing loop between CHROMOMETHYLASE 3 and KRYPTONITE, involving DNA methylated in the CHG context and histone H3 lysine 9 methylation. Our findings reveal a predominant role of this loop in maintaining a natural epiallele. Epialleles are gene variants based on epigenetic marks stably transmitted between generations. Most of the known epialleles existing in the wild were described in plant populations but very few are associated with phenotypes or agronomical traits. In this study, we isolated a new natural epiallele resulting from the silencing of a RNA editing gene essential for plants. We demonstrated that an incompatibility between two Arabidopsis strains depending on this epiallele, is based on DNA methylation of cytosines, an epigenetic mark influencing gene function. In F1 hybrids, obtained by crossing the incompatible parental lines, unmethylated versions of the allele can be converted to methylated ones. The epiallele can also spontaneously revert in very rare cases, within the population. The methylation status of this epiallele can therefore potentially change within the population and is maintained in a metastable state. Indeed, two enzymes promoting histone or DNA methylation, respectively, and acting in loop, are involved in maintaining the epiallele in natural populations, over generations.
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Xia H, Huang W, Xiong J, Yan S, Tao T, Li J, Wu J, Luo L. Differentially Methylated Epiloci Generated from Numerous Genotypes of Contrasting Tolerances Are Associated with Osmotic-Tolerance in Rice Seedlings. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:11. [PMID: 28154573 PMCID: PMC5243842 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation plays an essential role in plant responses to environmental stress. Since drought develops into a rising problem in rice cultivation, investigations on genome-wide DNA methylation in responses to drought stress and in-depth explorations of its association with drought-tolerance are required. For this study, 68 rice accessions were used for an evaluation of their osmotic-tolerance related to 20% PEG6000 simulated physiological traits. The tolerant group revealed significantly higher levels of total antioxidant capacity and higher contents of H2O2 in both normal and osmotic-stressed treatments, as well as higher survival ratios. We furthermore investigated the DNA methylation status in normal, osmotic-stressed, and re-watering treatments via the methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP). The averaged similarity between two rice accessions from tolerant and susceptible groups was approximately 50%, similar with that between two accessions within the tolerant/susceptible group. However, the proportion of overall tolerance-associated epiloci was only 5.2% of total epiloci. The drought-tolerant accessions revealed lower DNA methylation levels in the stressed condition and more de-methylation events when they encountered osmotic stress, compared to the susceptible group. During the recovery process, the drought-tolerant accessions possessed more re-methylation events. Fourteen differentially methylated epiloci (DME) were, respectively, generated in normal, osmotic-stressed, and re-watering treatments. Approximately, 35.7% DME were determined as tolerance-associated epiloci. Additionally, rice accessions with lower methylation degrees on DME in the stressed conditions had a higher survival ratio compared to these with higher methylation degrees. This result is consistent with the lower DNA methylation levels of tolerant accessions observed in the stressed treatment. Methylation degrees on a differentially methylated epilocus may further influence gene regulation in the rice seedling in response to the osmotic stress. All these results indicate that DME generated from a number of genotypes could have higher probabilityies for association with stress-tolerance, rather than DME generated from two genotypes of contrasting tolerance. The DME found in this study are suspected to be good epigenetic markers for the application in drought-tolerant rice breeding. They could also be a valuable tool to study the epigenetic differentiation in the drought-tolerance between upland and lowland rice ecotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xia
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene CenterShanghai, China
| | - Weixia Huang
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene CenterShanghai, China
| | - Jie Xiong
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene CenterShanghai, China
- College of Plant Sciences and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Shuaigang Yan
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene CenterShanghai, China
- College of Plant Sciences and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Tao Tao
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene CenterShanghai, China
| | - Jiajia Li
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene CenterShanghai, China
| | - Jinhong Wu
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene CenterShanghai, China
| | - Lijun Luo
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene CenterShanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Lijun Luo
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Landscape Genomics of Angiosperm Trees: From Historic Roots to Discovering New Branches of Adaptive Evolution. COMPARATIVE AND EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS OF ANGIOSPERM TREES 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/7397_2016_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Abstract
Despite major progress in dissecting the molecular pathways that control DNA methylation patterns in plants, little is known about the mechanisms that shape plant methylomes over evolutionary time. Drawing on recent intra- and interspecific epigenomic studies, we show that methylome evolution over long timescales is largely a byproduct of genomic changes. By contrast, methylome evolution over short timescales appears to be driven mainly by spontaneous epimutational events. We argue that novel methods based on analyses of the methylation site frequency spectrum (mSFS) of natural populations can provide deeper insights into the evolutionary forces that act at each timescale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaryllis Vidalis
- Population Epigenetics and Epigenomics, Technical University of Munich, Liesel-Beckman-Str. 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Daniel Živković
- Population Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Liesel-Beckman-Str. 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - René Wardenaar
- Groningen Bioinformatics Centre, University of Groningen, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - David Roquis
- Population Epigenetics and Epigenomics, Technical University of Munich, Liesel-Beckman-Str. 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Aurélien Tellier
- Population Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Liesel-Beckman-Str. 2, 85354, Freising, Germany.
| | - Frank Johannes
- Population Epigenetics and Epigenomics, Technical University of Munich, Liesel-Beckman-Str. 2, 85354, Freising, Germany. .,Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstr. 2a, 85748, Garching, Germany.
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Xu J, Tanino KK, Horner KN, Robinson SJ. Quantitative trait variation is revealed in a novel hypomethylated population of woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca). BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2016; 16:240. [PMID: 27809774 PMCID: PMC5095969 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-016-0936-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phenotypic variation is determined by a combination of genotype, environment and their interactions. The realization that allelic diversity can be both genetic and epigenetic allows the environmental component to be further separated. Partitioning phenotypic variation observed among inbred lines with an altered epigenome can allow the epigenetic component controlling quantitative traits to be estimated. To assess the contribution of epialleles on phenotypic variation and determine the fidelity with which epialleles are inherited, we have developed a novel hypomethylated population of strawberry (2n = 2x = 14) using 5-azacytidine from which individuals with altered phenotypes can be identified, selected and characterized. RESULTS The hypomethylated population was generated using an inbred strawberry population in the F. vesca ssp. vesca accession Hawaii 4. Analysis of whole genome sequence data from control and hypomethylated lines indicate that 5-azacytidine exposure does not increase SNP above background levels. The populations contained only Hawaii 4 alleles, removing introgression of alternate F. vesca alleles as a potential source of variation. Although genome sequencing and genetic marker data are unable to rule out 5-azacytidine induced chromosomal rearrangements as a potential source of the trait variation observed, none were detected in our survey. Quantitative trait variation focusing on flowering time and rosette diameter was scored in control and treated populations where expanded levels of variation were observed among the hypomethylated lines. Methylation sensitive molecular markers indicated that 5-azacytidine induced alterations in DNA methylation patterns and inheritance of methylation patterns were confirmed by bisulfite sequencing of targeted regions. It is possible that methylation polymorphisms might underlie or have induced genetic changes underlying the observable differences in quantitative phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS This population developed in a uniform genetic background provides a resource for the discovery of new variation controlling quantitative traits. Genome sequence analysis indicates that 5-azacytidine did not induce point mutations and the induced variation is largely restricted to DNA methylation. Using this resource, we have identified new variation and demonstrated the inheritance of both variant trait and methylation patterns. Although direct associations remain to be determined, these data suggest epigenetic variation might be subject to selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihua Xu
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon Research Centre, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada
| | - Karen K. Tanino
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada
| | - Kyla N. Horner
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon Research Centre, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada
| | - Stephen J. Robinson
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon Research Centre, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada
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Comparison of molecular genetic utilities of TD, AFLP, and MSAP among the accessions of japonica, indica, and Tongil of Oryza sativa L. Genes Genomics 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s13258-016-0426-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Lankinen Å, Abreha KB, Alexandersson E, Andersson S, Andreasson E. Nongenetic Inheritance of Induced Resistance in a Wild Annual Plant. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2016; 106:877-83. [PMID: 27070426 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-10-15-0278-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Nongenetic inheritance (e.g., transgenerational epigenetic effects) has received increasing interest in recent years, particularly in plants. However, most studies have involved a few model species and relatively little is known about wild species in these respects. We investigated transgenerational induced resistance to infection by the devastating oomycete Phytophthora infestans in Solanum physalifolium, a wild relative of cultivated potato. We treated plants with β-aminobutyric acid (BABA), a nontoxic compound acting as an inducing agent, or infected plants with P. infestans. BABA treatment reduced lesion size in detached-leaf assays inoculated by P. infestans in two of three tested genotypes, suggesting that resistance to oomycetes can be induced by BABA within a generation not only in crops or model species but also in wild species directly collected from nature. Both BABA treatment and infection in the parental generation reduced lesions in the subsequent generation in one of two genotypes, indicating a transgenerational influence on resistance that varies among genotypes. We did not detect treatment effects on seed traits, indicating the involvement of a mechanism unrelated to maternal effects. In conclusion, our study provides data on BABA induction and nongenetic inheritance of induced resistance in a wild relative of cultivated potato, implying that this factor might be important in the ecological and agricultural landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Åsa Lankinen
- First, second, third, and fifth authors: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Plant Protection Biology, P.O. Box 102, S-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden; and fourth author: Department of Biology, Lund University, Ecology Building, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Kibrom B Abreha
- First, second, third, and fifth authors: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Plant Protection Biology, P.O. Box 102, S-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden; and fourth author: Department of Biology, Lund University, Ecology Building, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Erik Alexandersson
- First, second, third, and fifth authors: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Plant Protection Biology, P.O. Box 102, S-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden; and fourth author: Department of Biology, Lund University, Ecology Building, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Stefan Andersson
- First, second, third, and fifth authors: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Plant Protection Biology, P.O. Box 102, S-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden; and fourth author: Department of Biology, Lund University, Ecology Building, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Erik Andreasson
- First, second, third, and fifth authors: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Plant Protection Biology, P.O. Box 102, S-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden; and fourth author: Department of Biology, Lund University, Ecology Building, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden
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Xia H, Huang W, Xiong J, Tao T, Zheng X, Wei H, Yue Y, Chen L, Luo L. Adaptive Epigenetic Differentiation between Upland and Lowland Rice Ecotypes Revealed by Methylation-Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157810. [PMID: 27380174 PMCID: PMC4933381 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The stress-induced epimutations could be inherited over generations and play important roles in plant adaption to stressful environments. Upland rice has been domesticated in water-limited environments for thousands of years and accumulated drought-induced epimutations of DNA methylation, making it epigenetically differentiated from lowland rice. To study the epigenetic differentiation between upland and lowland rice ecotypes on their drought-resistances, the epigenetic variation was investigated in 180 rice landraces under both normal and osmotic conditions via methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) technique. Great alterations (52.9~54.3% of total individual-locus combinations) of DNA methylation are recorded when rice encountering the osmotic stress. Although the general level of epigenetic differentiation was very low, considerable level of ΦST (0.134~0.187) was detected on the highly divergent epiloci (HDE). The HDE detected in normal condition tended to stay at low levels in upland rice, particularly the ones de-methylated in responses to osmotic stress. Three out of four selected HDE genes differentially expressed between upland and lowland rice under normal or stressed conditions. Moreover, once a gene at HDE was up-/down-regulated in responses to the osmotic stress, its expression under the normal condition was higher/lower in upland rice. This result suggested expressions of genes at the HDE in upland rice might be more adaptive to the osmotic stress. The epigenetic divergence and its influence on the gene expression should contribute to the higher drought-resistance in upland rice as it is domesticated in the water-limited environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xia
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Weixia Huang
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai, China
- College of Plant Sciences & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Xiong
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai, China
- College of Plant Sciences & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Tao
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai, China
- College of Plant Sciences & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoguo Zheng
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai, China
- College of Plant Sciences & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Haibin Wei
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunxia Yue
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai, China
- College of Plant Sciences & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijun Luo
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai, China
- College of Plant Sciences & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- * E-mail:
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46
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Taudt A, Colomé-Tatché M, Johannes F. Genetic sources of population epigenomic variation. Nat Rev Genet 2016; 17:319-32. [DOI: 10.1038/nrg.2016.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Abstract
Genomic imprinting, an inherently epigenetic phenomenon defined by parent of origin-dependent gene expression, is observed in mammals and flowering plants. Genome-scale surveys of imprinted expression and the underlying differential epigenetic marks have led to the discovery of hundreds of imprinted plant genes and confirmed DNA and histone methylation as key regulators of plant imprinting. However, the biological roles of the vast majority of imprinted plant genes are unknown, and the evolutionary forces shaping plant imprinting remain rather opaque. Here, we review the mechanisms of plant genomic imprinting and discuss theories of imprinting evolution and biological significance in light of recent findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Rodrigues
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Daniel Zilberman
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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Gugger PF, Fitz-Gibbon S, PellEgrini M, Sork VL. Species-wide patterns of DNA methylation variation inQuercus lobataand their association with climate gradients. Mol Ecol 2016; 25:1665-80. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.13563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Revised: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul F. Gugger
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of California; Los Angeles CA 90095-7239 USA
| | - Sorel Fitz-Gibbon
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of California; Los Angeles CA 90095-7239 USA
- Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology; University of California; Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Matteo PellEgrini
- Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology; University of California; Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
- Institute of Genomics and Proteomics; University of California; Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Victoria L. Sork
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of California; Los Angeles CA 90095-7239 USA
- Institute of the Environment and Sustainability; University of California; Los Angeles CA 90095-1496 USA
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Sharma A. Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance: resolving uncertainty and evolving biology. Biomol Concepts 2016; 6:87-103. [PMID: 25898397 DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2015-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in animals has increasingly been reported in recent years. Controversies, however, surround this unconventional mode of heredity, especially in mammals, for several reasons. First, its existence itself has been questioned due to perceived insufficiency of available evidence. Second, it potentially implies transfer of hereditary information from soma to germline, against the established principle in biology. Third, it inherently requires survival of epigenetic memory across reprogramming, posing another fundamental challenge in biology. Fourth, evolutionary significance of epigenetic inheritance has also been under debate. This article pointwise addresses all these concerns on the basis of recent empirical, theoretical and conceptual advances. 1) Described here in detail are the key experimental findings demonstrating the occurrence of germline epigenetic inheritance in mammals. 2) Newly emerging evidence supporting soma to germline communication in transgenerational inheritance in mammals, and a role of exosome and extracellular microRNA in this transmission, is thoroughly discussed. 3) The plausibility of epigenetic information propagation across reprogramming is highlighted. 4) Analyses supporting evolutionary significance of epigenetic inheritance are briefly mentioned. Finally, an integrative model of 'evolutionary transgenerational systems biology' is proposed to provide a framework to guide future advancements in epigenetic inheritance.
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50
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Abstract
RNA silencing at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels regulates endogenous gene expression, controls invading transposable elements (TEs), and protects the cell against viruses. Key components of the mechanism are small RNAs (sRNAs) of 21-24 nt that guide the silencing machinery to their nucleic acid targets in a nucleotide sequence-specific manner. Transcriptional gene silencing is associated with 24-nt sRNAs and RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) at cytosine residues in three DNA sequence contexts (CG, CHG, and CHH). We previously demonstrated that 24-nt sRNAs are mobile from shoot to root in Arabidopsis thaliana and confirmed that they mediate DNA methylation at three sites in recipient cells. In this study, we extend this finding by demonstrating that RdDM of thousands of loci in root tissues is dependent upon mobile sRNAs from the shoot and that mobile sRNA-dependent DNA methylation occurs predominantly in non-CG contexts. Mobile sRNA-dependent non-CG methylation is largely dependent on the DOMAINS REARRANGED METHYLTRANSFERASES 1/2 (DRM1/DRM2) RdDM pathway but is independent of the CHROMOMETHYLASE (CMT)2/3 DNA methyltransferases. Specific superfamilies of TEs, including those typically found in gene-rich euchromatic regions, lose DNA methylation in a mutant lacking 22- to 24-nt sRNAs (dicer-like 2, 3, 4 triple mutant). Transcriptome analyses identified a small number of genes whose expression in roots is associated with mobile sRNAs and connected to DNA methylation directly or indirectly. Finally, we demonstrate that sRNAs from shoots of one accession move across a graft union and target DNA methylation de novo at normally unmethylated sites in the genomes of root cells from a different accession.
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