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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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2
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Deans NC, Talbot JERB, Li M, Sáez-González C, Hövel I, Heavens D, Stam M, Hollick JB. Paramutation at the maize pl1 locus is associated with RdDM activity at distal tandem repeats. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011296. [PMID: 38814980 PMCID: PMC11166354 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Exceptions to Mendelian inheritance often highlight novel chromosomal behaviors. The maize Pl1-Rhoades allele conferring plant pigmentation can display inheritance patterns deviating from Mendelian expectations in a behavior known as paramutation. However, the chromosome features mediating such exceptions remain unknown. Here we show that small RNA production reflecting RNA polymerase IV function within a distal downstream set of five tandem repeats is coincident with meiotically-heritable repression of the Pl1-Rhoades transcription unit. A related pl1 haplotype with three, but not one with two, repeat units also displays the trans-homolog silencing typifying paramutations. 4C interactions, CHD3a-dependent small RNA profiles, nuclease sensitivity, and polyadenylated RNA levels highlight a repeat subregion having regulatory potential. Our comparative and mutant analyses show that transcriptional repression of Pl1-Rhoades correlates with 24-nucleotide RNA production and cytosine methylation at this subregion indicating the action of a specific DNA-dependent RNA polymerase complex. These findings support a working model in which pl1 paramutation depends on trans-chromosomal RNA-directed DNA methylation operating at a discrete cis-linked and copy-number-dependent transcriptional regulatory element.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie C. Deans
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Centers for Applied Plant Sciences and RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Joy-El R. B. Talbot
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Mowei Li
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Centers for Applied Plant Sciences and RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Cristian Sáez-González
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Iris Hövel
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Maike Stam
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jay B. Hollick
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Centers for Applied Plant Sciences and RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
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3
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Kakoulidou I, Johannes F. DNA methylation remodeling in F1 hybrids. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 118:671-681. [PMID: 36752648 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
F1 hybrids derived from a cross between two inbred parental lines often display widespread changes in DNA methylation patterns relative to their parents. To which extent these changes drive non-additive gene expression levels and phenotypic heterosis in F1 individuals is not fully resolved. Current mechanistic models propose that DNA methylation remodeling in hybrids is the result of epigenetic interactions between parental alleles via small interfering RNA (sRNA). These models have strong empirical support but are limited to genomic regions where the two parental lines differ in DNA methylation status. However, most remodeling events occur in parental regions with similar methylation patterns, and seem to be strongly conditioned by distally acting factors, even in isogenic hybrid systems. The molecular basis of these distal interactions is currently unknown, and will likely emerge as an active area of research in the future. Despite these gaps in our molecular understanding, parental DNA methylation states are statistically associated with heterosis, independent of genetic information, and may serve as biomarkers in crop breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Kakoulidou
- Plant Epigenomics, Technical University of Munich, Emil-Ramman-Str. 4, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Frank Johannes
- Plant Epigenomics, Technical University of Munich, Emil-Ramman-Str. 4, 85354, Freising, Germany
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4
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Liu B, Yang D, Wang D, Liang C, Wang J, Lisch D, Zhao M. Heritable changes of epialleles near genes in maize can be triggered in the absence of CHH methylation. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 194:2511-2532. [PMID: 38109503 PMCID: PMC10980416 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Trans-chromosomal interactions resulting in changes in DNA methylation during hybridization have been observed in several plant species. However, little is known about the causes or consequences of these interactions. Here, we compared DNA methylomes of F1 hybrids that are mutant for a small RNA biogenesis gene, Mop1 (Mediator of paramutation1), with that of their parents, wild-type siblings, and backcrossed progeny in maize (Zea mays). Our data show that hybridization triggers global changes in both trans-chromosomal methylation (TCM) and trans-chromosomal demethylation (TCdM), most of which involved changes in CHH methylation. In more than 60% of these TCM differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in which small RNAs are available, no significant changes in the quantity of small RNAs were observed. Methylation at the CHH TCM DMRs was largely lost in the mop1 mutant, although the effects of this mutant varied depending on the location of these DMRs. Interestingly, an increase in CHH at TCM DMRs was associated with enhanced expression of a subset of highly expressed genes and suppressed expression of a small number of lowly expressed genes. Examination of the methylation levels in backcrossed plants demonstrates that both TCM and TCdM can be maintained in the subsequent generation, but that TCdM is more stable than TCM. Surprisingly, although increased CHH methylation in most TCM DMRs in F1 plants required Mop1, initiation of a new epigenetic state of these DMRs did not require a functional copy of this gene, suggesting that initiation of these changes is independent of RNA-directed DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Liu
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Diya Yang
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Dafang Wang
- Biology Department, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Chun Liang
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Jianping Wang
- Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Damon Lisch
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Meixia Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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5
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Liu B, Zhao M. How transposable elements are recognized and epigenetically silenced in plants? CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 75:102428. [PMID: 37481986 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2023.102428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Plant genomes are littered with transposable elements (TEs). Because TEs are potentially highly mutagenic, host organisms have evolved a set of defense mechanisms to recognize and epigenetically silence them. Although the maintenance of TE silencing is well studied, our understanding of the initiation of TE silencing is limited, but it clearly involves small RNAs and DNA methylation. Once TEs are silent, the silent state can be maintained to subsequent generations. However, under some circumstances, such inheritance is unstable, leading to the escape of TEs to the silencing machinery, resulting in the transcriptional activation of TEs. Epigenetic control of TEs has been found to be closely linked to many other epigenetic phenomena, such as genomic imprinting, and is known to contribute to regulation of genes, especially those near TEs. Here we review and discuss the current models of TE silencing, its unstable inheritance after hybridization, and the effects of epigenetic regulation of TEs on genomic imprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Liu
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Meixia Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
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Luo D, Lu H, Wang C, Mubeen S, Cao S, Yue J, Pan J, Wu X, Wu Q, Zhang H, Chen C, Rehman M, Li R, Chen P. Physiological and DNA methylation analysis provides epigenetic insights into kenaf cadmium tolerance heterosis. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 331:111663. [PMID: 36841339 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Soil heavy metal pollution is one of the most challenging problems. Kenaf is an important natural fiber crop with strong heterosis and a higher tolerance to heavy metals. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of kenaf heavy metal tolerance, especially the mechanism of genomic DNA methylation regulating heterosis. In this study, kenaf cultivars CP085, CP089, and their hybrid F1 seedlings were subjected to 300 µM cadmium stress and found obvious heterosis of cadmium resistance in morphology and antioxidant enzyme activity of F1 hybrid seedlings. Through methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) analysis, we highlighted that the total DNA methylation level under cadmium decreased by 16.9 % in F1 and increased by 14.0 % and 3.0 % in parents CP085 and CP089, respectively. The hypomethylation rate was highest (21.84 %), but hypermethylation was lowest (17.24 %) in F1 compared to parent cultivars. In particular, principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) indicates a significant epigenetic differentiation between F1 and its parents under cadmium. Furthermore, 21 differentially methylated DNA fragments (DMFs) were analyzed. Especially, the expression of NPF2.7, NADP-ME, NAC71, TPP-D, LRR-RLKs, and DHX51 genes were changed due to cadmium stress and related to cytosine methylation regulation. Finally, the knocked-down of the differentially methylated gene NPF2.7 by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) resulted in increased sensitivity of kenaf seedlings under cadmium stress. It is speculated that low DNA methylation levels can regulate gene expression that led to the heterosis of cadmium tolerance in kenaf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dengjie Luo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agric-products safety, Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Breeding, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Hai Lu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agric-products safety, Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Breeding, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Caijin Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agric-products safety, Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Breeding, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Samavia Mubeen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agric-products safety, Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Breeding, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Shan Cao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agric-products safety, Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Breeding, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Jiao Yue
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agric-products safety, Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Breeding, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Jiao Pan
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agric-products safety, Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Breeding, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xia Wu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agric-products safety, Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Breeding, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Qijing Wu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agric-products safety, Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Breeding, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agric-products safety, Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Breeding, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Canni Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agric-products safety, Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Breeding, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Muzammal Rehman
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agric-products safety, Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Breeding, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Ru Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agric-products safety, Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Breeding, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
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7
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Liu B, Yang D, Wang D, Liang C, Wang J, Lisch D, Zhao M. Heritable changes of epialleles in maize can be triggered in the absence of DNA methylation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.15.537008. [PMID: 37131670 PMCID: PMC10153178 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.15.537008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Trans-chromosomal interactions resulting in changes in DNA methylation during hybridization have been observed in several plant species. However, very little is known about the causes or consequences of these interactions. Here, we compared DNA methylomes of F1 hybrids that are mutant for a small RNA biogenesis gene, Mop1 (mediator of paramutation1) with that of their parents, wild type siblings, and backcrossed progeny in maize. Our data show that hybridization triggers global changes in both trans-chromosomal methylation (TCM) and trans-chromosomal demethylation (TCdM), most of which involved changes in CHH methylation. In more than 60% of these TCM differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in which small RNAs are available, no significant changes in the quantity of small RNAs were observed. Methylation at the CHH TCM DMRs was largely lost in the mop1 mutant, although the effects of this mutant varied depending on the location of the CHH DMRs. Interestingly, an increase in CHH at TCM DMRs was associated with enhanced expression of a subset of highly expressed genes and suppressed expression of a small number of lowly expressed genes. Examination of the methylation levels in backcrossed plants demonstrates that TCM and TCdM can be maintained in the subsequent generation, but that TCdM is more stable than TCM. Surprisingly, although increased CHH methylation in F1 plants did require Mop1, initiation of the changes in the epigenetic state of TCM DMRs did not require a functional copy of this gene, suggesting that initiation of these changes is not dependent on RNA-directed DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Liu
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056
| | - Diya Yang
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056
| | - Dafang Wang
- Biology Department, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549
| | - Chun Liang
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056
| | - Jianping Wang
- Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Damon Lisch
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Meixia Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
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8
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Zhang J, Xie Y, Zhang H, He C, Wang X, Cui Y, Heng Y, Lin Y, Gu R, Wang J, Fu J. Integrated Multi-Omics Reveals Significant Roles of Non-Additively Expressed Small RNAs in Heterosis for Maize Plant Height. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119150. [PMID: 37298102 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119150] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterosis is a complex biological phenomenon regulated by genetic variations and epigenetic changes. However, the roles of small RNAs (sRNAs), an important epigenetic regulatory element, on plant heterosis are still poorly understood. Here, an integrative analysis was performed with sequencing data from multi-omics layers of maize hybrids and their two homologous parental lines to explore the potential underlying mechanisms of sRNAs in plant height (PH) heterosis. sRNAome analysis revealed that 59 (18.61%) microRNAs (miRNAs) and 64,534 (54.00%) 24-nt small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) clusters were non-additively expressed in hybrids. Transcriptome profiles showed that these non-additively expressed miRNAs regulated PH heterosis through activating genes involved in vegetative growth-related pathways while suppressing those related to reproductive and stress response pathways. DNA methylome profiles showed that non-additive methylation events were more likely to be induced by non-additively expressed siRNA clusters. Genes associated with low-parental expression (LPE) siRNAs and trans-chromosomal demethylation (TCdM) events were enriched in developmental processes as well as nutrients and energy metabolism, whereas genes associated with high-parental expression (HPE) siRNAs and trans-chromosomal methylation (TCM) events were gathered in stress response and organelle organization pathways. Our results provide insights into the expression and regulation patterns of sRNAs in hybrids and help to elucidate their potential targeting pathways contributing to PH heterosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Center of Seed Science and Technology, Beijing Innovation Center for Seed Technology (MOA), Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Guizhou Institute of Tobacco Science, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Yuxin Xie
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Cheng He
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yu Cui
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yanfang Heng
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yingchao Lin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Guizhou Institute of Tobacco Science, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Riliang Gu
- Center of Seed Science and Technology, Beijing Innovation Center for Seed Technology (MOA), Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Center of Seed Science and Technology, Beijing Innovation Center for Seed Technology (MOA), Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Junjie Fu
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
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Jaiswal V, Rawoof A, Gahlaut V, Ahmad I, Chhapekar SS, Dubey M, Ramchiary N. Integrated analysis of DNA methylation, transcriptome, and global metabolites in interspecific heterotic Capsicum F 1 hybrid. iScience 2022; 25:105318. [PMID: 36304106 PMCID: PMC9593261 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybrid breeding is one of the efficacious methods of crop improvement. Here, we report our work towards understanding the molecular basis of F1 hybrid heterosis from Capsicum chinense and C. frutescens cross. Bisulfite sequencing identified a total of 70597 CG, 108797 CHG, and 38418 CHH differentially methylated regions (DMRs) across F1 hybrid and parents, and of these, 4891 DMRs showed higher methylation in F1 compared to the mid-parental methylation values (MPMV). Transcriptome analysis showed higher expression of 46–55% differentially expressed genes (DE-Gs) in the F1 hybrid. The qRT-PCR analysis of 24 DE-Gs with negative promoter methylation revealed 91.66% expression similarity with the transcriptome data. A few metabolites and 65–72% enriched genes in metabolite biosynthetic pathways showed overall increased expression in the F1 hybrid compared to parents. These findings, taken together, provided insights into the integrated role of DNA methylation, and genes and metabolites expression in the manifestation of heterosis in Capsicum. Global methylation identified significantly different proportions of mCs in hybrid Of common DMRs, 33.08% showed different methylation in hybrid from the mid-parental value Negatively correlated DEG pDMR-genes were enriched in metabolic pathways Significant higher expression of metabolites and DE-Gs were identified in the F1 hybrid
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Affiliation(s)
- Vandana Jaiswal
- Translational and Evolutionary Genomics Lab, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
- Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Corresponding author
| | - Abdul Rawoof
- Translational and Evolutionary Genomics Lab, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Vijay Gahlaut
- Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Ilyas Ahmad
- Translational and Evolutionary Genomics Lab, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Sushil S. Chhapekar
- Translational and Evolutionary Genomics Lab, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
- Department of Horticulture, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, South Korea
| | - Meenakshi Dubey
- Translational and Evolutionary Genomics Lab, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi 110042, India
| | - Nirala Ramchiary
- Translational and Evolutionary Genomics Lab, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
- Corresponding author
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10
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Tonosaki K, Fujimoto R, Dennis ES, Raboy V, Osabe K. Will epigenetics be a key player in crop breeding? FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:958350. [PMID: 36247549 PMCID: PMC9562705 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.958350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
If food and feed production are to keep up with world demand in the face of climate change, continued progress in understanding and utilizing both genetic and epigenetic sources of crop variation is necessary. Progress in plant breeding has traditionally been thought to be due to selection for spontaneous DNA sequence mutations that impart desirable phenotypes. These spontaneous mutations can expand phenotypic diversity, from which breeders can select agronomically useful traits. However, it has become clear that phenotypic diversity can be generated even when the genome sequence is unaltered. Epigenetic gene regulation is a mechanism by which genome expression is regulated without altering the DNA sequence. With the development of high throughput DNA sequencers, it has become possible to analyze the epigenetic state of the whole genome, which is termed the epigenome. These techniques enable us to identify spontaneous epigenetic mutations (epimutations) with high throughput and identify the epimutations that lead to increased phenotypic diversity. These epimutations can create new phenotypes and the causative epimutations can be inherited over generations. There is evidence of selected agronomic traits being conditioned by heritable epimutations, and breeders may have historically selected for epiallele-conditioned agronomic traits. These results imply that not only DNA sequence diversity, but the diversity of epigenetic states can contribute to increased phenotypic diversity. However, since the modes of induction and transmission of epialleles and their stability differ from that of genetic alleles, the importance of inheritance as classically defined also differs. For example, there may be a difference between the types of epigenetic inheritance important to crop breeding and crop production. The former may depend more on longer-term inheritance whereas the latter may simply take advantage of shorter-term phenomena. With the advances in our understanding of epigenetics, epigenetics may bring new perspectives for crop improvement, such as the use of epigenetic variation or epigenome editing in breeding. In this review, we will introduce the role of epigenetic variation in plant breeding, largely focusing on DNA methylation, and conclude by asking to what extent new knowledge of epigenetics in crop breeding has led to documented cases of its successful use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Tonosaki
- Kihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ryo Fujimoto
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Elizabeth S. Dennis
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Victor Raboy
- Independent Researcher Portland, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Kenji Osabe
- Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (SANKEN), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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CHROMOMETHYLTRANSFERASE3/KRYPTONITE maintains the sulfurea paramutation in Solanum lycopersicum. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2112240119. [PMID: 35324329 PMCID: PMC9060480 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112240119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
SignificanceParamutation involves the transfer of a repressive epigenetic mark between silent and active alleles. It is best known from exceptional non-Mendelian inheritance of conspicuous phenotypes in maize but also in other plants and animals. Recent genomic studies, however, indicate that paramutation may be less exceptional. It may be a consequence of wide-cross hybridization and may contribute to quantitative trait variation or unstable phenotypes in crops. Using the sulfurea (sulf) locus in tomato, we demonstrate that a self-reinforcing feedback loop involving DNA- and histone-methyl transferases CHROMOMETHYLTRANSFERASE3 (CMT3) and KRYPTONITE (KYP) is required for paramutation of sulf and that there is a change in chromatin organization. These findings advance the understanding of non-Mendelian inheritance in plants.
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Matsunaga W, Inukai T, Masuta C. Progressive DNA demethylation in epigenetic hybrids between parental plants with and without methylation of the transgene promoter. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2022; 135:883-893. [PMID: 35028697 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-021-04004-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Crosses of parents that differ in their DNA methylation states leads to progressive demethylation in the F1 hybrids. In plant breeding research, hybrid vigor in F1 hybrids is known to be a very important phenomenon. Hybrid vigor, or heterosis, refers to the fact that F1 hybrids from crosses with a certain combination of parents have traits that are superior to those of the parents. In addition, DNA methylation is an important factor that affects gene expression in plant genomes and contributes to hybrid vigor. We introduced the 35S promoter sequence into the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)-based vector and inoculated the GFP-expressing transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana line 16c with the recombinant virus specifically to induce DNA methylation on the 35S promoter. For plants that had transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) of GFP established by methylation of the 35S promoter (35S-TGS), TGS was fully maintained in their later self-pollinated generations. When the 35S-TGS plants were crossed with 16c, which does not contain DNA methylation in the 35S promoter, the F1 hybrids unexpectedly became progressively DNA demethylated as the plants grew. We hypothesis that in F1 hybrids that are produced by a cross between parents with extremely different gene methylation states, the methylation state of the genes in question may shift more and more to hypomethylation as the plants grow. This progressive demethylation phenomenon observed in this study may be important in plant breeding to reactivate the genes which were silenced by DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Matsunaga
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8589, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Inukai
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8589, Japan.
| | - Chikara Masuta
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8589, Japan.
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13
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Minow MAA, Lukens L, Rossi V, Colasanti J. Patterns of stability and change in the maize genome: a case study of small RNA transcriptomes in two recombinant inbred lines and their progenitors. Genome 2021; 65:1-12. [PMID: 34597524 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2021-0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Small RNAs (sRNAs) are epigenetic regulators of eukaryotic genes and transposable elements (TEs). Diverse sRNA expression patterns exist within a species, but how this diversity arises is not well understood. To provide a window into the dynamics of maize sRNA patterning, sRNA and mRNA transcriptomes were examined in two related Zea mays recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and their inbred parents. Analysis of these RILs revealed that most clusters of sRNA expression retained the parental sRNA expression level. However, expression states that differ from the parental allele were also observed, predominantly reflecting decreases in sRNA expression. When RIL sRNA expression differed from the parental allele, the new state was frequently similar between the two RILs, and similar to the expression state found at the allele in the other parent. Novel sRNA expression patterns, distinct from those of either parent, were rare. Additionally, examination of sRNA expression over TEs revealed one TE family, Gyma, which showed consistent enrichment for RIL sRNA expression differences compared to those found in parental alleles. These findings provide insights into how sRNA silencing might evolve over generations and suggest that further investigation into the molecular nature of sRNA trans regulators is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A A Minow
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lewis Lukens
- Plant Agriculture Department, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Rossi
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, I-24126 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Joseph Colasanti
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Billiard S, Castric V, Llaurens V. The integrative biology of genetic dominance. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:2925-2942. [PMID: 34382317 PMCID: PMC9292577 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Dominance is a basic property of inheritance systems describing the link between a diploid genotype at a single locus and the resulting phenotype. Models for the evolution of dominance have long been framed as an opposition between the irreconcilable views of Fisher in 1928 supporting the role of largely elusive dominance modifiers and Wright in 1929, who viewed dominance as an emerging property of the structure of enzymatic pathways. Recent theoretical and empirical advances however suggest that these opposing views can be reconciled, notably using models investigating the regulation of gene expression and developmental processes. In this more comprehensive framework, phenotypic dominance emerges from departures from linearity between any levels of integration in the genotype‐to‐phenotype map. Here, we review how these different models illuminate the emergence and evolution of dominance. We then detail recent empirical studies shedding new light on the diversity of molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying dominance and its evolution. By reconciling population genetics and functional biology, we hope our review will facilitate cross‐talk among research fields in the integrative study of dominance evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Billiard
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8198 - Evo-Eco-Paleo, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Vincent Castric
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8198 - Evo-Eco-Paleo, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Violaine Llaurens
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution et Biodiversité, CNRS/MNHN/Sorbonne Université/EPHE, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CP50, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France
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15
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Gogolev YV, Ahmar S, Akpinar BA, Budak H, Kiryushkin AS, Gorshkov VY, Hensel G, Demchenko KN, Kovalchuk I, Mora-Poblete F, Muslu T, Tsers ID, Yadav NS, Korzun V. OMICs, Epigenetics, and Genome Editing Techniques for Food and Nutritional Security. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:1423. [PMID: 34371624 PMCID: PMC8309286 DOI: 10.3390/plants10071423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The incredible success of crop breeding and agricultural innovation in the last century greatly contributed to the Green Revolution, which significantly increased yields and ensures food security, despite the population explosion. However, new challenges such as rapid climate change, deteriorating soil, and the accumulation of pollutants require much faster responses and more effective solutions that cannot be achieved through traditional breeding. Further prospects for increasing the efficiency of agriculture are undoubtedly associated with the inclusion in the breeding strategy of new knowledge obtained using high-throughput technologies and new tools in the future to ensure the design of new plant genomes and predict the desired phenotype. This article provides an overview of the current state of research in these areas, as well as the study of soil and plant microbiomes, and the prospective use of their potential in a new field of microbiome engineering. In terms of genomic and phenomic predictions, we also propose an integrated approach that combines high-density genotyping and high-throughput phenotyping techniques, which can improve the prediction accuracy of quantitative traits in crop species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri V. Gogolev
- Federal Research Center Kazan Scientific Center of Russian Academy of Sciences, Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 420111 Kazan, Russia;
- Federal Research Center Kazan Scientific Center of Russian Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Plant Infectious Diseases, 420111 Kazan, Russia;
| | - Sunny Ahmar
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Talca, 1 Poniente 1141, Talca 3460000, Chile; (S.A.); (F.M.-P.)
| | | | - Hikmet Budak
- Montana BioAg Inc., Missoula, MT 59802, USA; (B.A.A.); (H.B.)
| | - Alexey S. Kiryushkin
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Development, Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 197376 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (A.S.K.); (K.N.D.)
| | - Vladimir Y. Gorshkov
- Federal Research Center Kazan Scientific Center of Russian Academy of Sciences, Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 420111 Kazan, Russia;
- Federal Research Center Kazan Scientific Center of Russian Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Plant Infectious Diseases, 420111 Kazan, Russia;
| | - Goetz Hensel
- Centre for Plant Genome Engineering, Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany;
- Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacký University Olomouc, 78371 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Kirill N. Demchenko
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Development, Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 197376 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (A.S.K.); (K.N.D.)
| | - Igor Kovalchuk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada; (I.K.); (N.S.Y.)
| | - Freddy Mora-Poblete
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Talca, 1 Poniente 1141, Talca 3460000, Chile; (S.A.); (F.M.-P.)
| | - Tugdem Muslu
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Ivan D. Tsers
- Federal Research Center Kazan Scientific Center of Russian Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Plant Infectious Diseases, 420111 Kazan, Russia;
| | - Narendra Singh Yadav
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada; (I.K.); (N.S.Y.)
| | - Viktor Korzun
- Federal Research Center Kazan Scientific Center of Russian Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Plant Infectious Diseases, 420111 Kazan, Russia;
- KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA, Grimsehlstr. 31, 37555 Einbeck, Germany
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16
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Ma X, Xing F, Jia Q, Zhang Q, Hu T, Wu B, Shao L, Zhao Y, Zhang Q, Zhou DX. Parental variation in CHG methylation is associated with allelic-specific expression in elite hybrid rice. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 186:1025-1041. [PMID: 33620495 PMCID: PMC8195538 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Heterosis refers to the superior performance of hybrid lines over inbred parental lines. Besides genetic variation, epigenetic differences between parental lines are suggested to contribute to heterosis. However, the precise nature and extent of differences between the parental epigenomes and the reprograming in hybrids that govern heterotic gene expression remain unclear. In this work, we analyzed DNA methylomes and transcriptomes of the widely cultivated and genetically studied elite hybrid rice (Oryza sativa) SY63, the reciprocal hybrid, and the parental varieties ZS97 and MH63, for which high-quality reference genomic sequences are available. We showed that the parental varieties displayed substantial variation in genic methylation at CG and CHG (H = A, C, or T) sequences. Compared with their parents, the hybrids displayed dynamic methylation variation during development. However, many parental differentially methylated regions (DMRs) at CG and CHG sites were maintained in the hybrid. Only a small fraction of the DMRs displayed non-additive DNA methylation variation, which, however, showed no overall correlation relationship with gene expression variation. In contrast, most of the allelic-specific expression (ASE) genes in the hybrid were associated with DNA methylation, and the ASE negatively associated with allelic-specific methylation (ASM) at CHG. These results revealed a specific DNA methylation reprogramming pattern in the hybrid rice and pointed to a role for parental CHG methylation divergence in ASE, which is associated with phenotype variation and hybrid vigor in several plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Feng Xing
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, 464000 Xinyang, China
| | - Qingxiao Jia
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Qinglu Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Tong Hu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Baoguo Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Lin Shao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Qifa Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Dao-Xiu Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
- Institute of Plant Science Paris-Saclay (IPS2), CNRS, INRAE, University Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France
- Author for communication:
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17
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Xu Z, Shi X, Bao M, Song X, Zhang Y, Wang H, Xie H, Mao F, Wang S, Jin H, Dong S, Zhang F, Wu Z, Wu Y. Transcriptome-Wide Analysis of RNA m 6A Methylation and Gene Expression Changes Among Two Arabidopsis Ecotypes and Their Reciprocal Hybrids. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:685189. [PMID: 34178005 PMCID: PMC8222996 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.685189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The remodeling of transcriptome, epigenome, proteome, and metabolome in hybrids plays an important role in heterosis. N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is the most abundant type of post-transcriptional modification for mRNAs, but the pattern of inheritance from parents to hybrids and potential impact on heterosis are largely unknown. We constructed transcriptome-wide mRNA m6A methylation maps of Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0 and Landsberg erecta (Ler) and their reciprocal F1 hybrids. Generally, the transcriptome-wide pattern of m6A methylation tends to be conserved between accessions. Approximately 74% of m6A methylation peaks are consistent between the parents and hybrids, indicating that a majority of the m6A methylation is maintained after hybridization. We found a significant association between differential expression and differential m6A modification, and between non-additive expression and non-additive methylation on the same gene. The overall RNA m6A level between Col-0 and Ler is clearly different but tended to disappear at the allelic sites in the hybrids. Interestingly, many enriched biological functions of genes with differential m6A modification between parents and hybrids are also conserved, including many heterosis-related genes involved in biosynthetic processes of starch. Collectively, our study revealed the overall pattern of inheritance of mRNA m6A modifications from parents to hybrids and a potential new layer of regulatory mechanisms related to heterosis formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Xu
- College of Life Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Information Agriculture, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaobo Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Information Agriculture, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mengmei Bao
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Information Agriculture, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoqian Song
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Information Agriculture, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxia Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Information Agriculture, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haiyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Information Agriculture, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hairong Xie
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Information Agriculture, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fei Mao
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Information Agriculture, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Information Agriculture, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongmei Jin
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Suomeng Dong
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhe Wu
- Department of Biology, SUSTech-PKU Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yufeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Information Agriculture, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Yufeng Wu
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18
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Bondada R, Somasundaram S, Marimuthu MP, Badarudeen MA, Puthiyaveedu VK, Maruthachalam R. Natural epialleles of Arabidopsis SUPERMAN display superwoman phenotypes. Commun Biol 2020; 3:772. [PMID: 33319840 PMCID: PMC7738503 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01525-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epimutations are heritable changes in gene function due to loss or gain of DNA cytosine methylation or chromatin modifications without changes in the DNA sequence. Only a few natural epimutations displaying discernible phenotypes are documented in plants. Here, we report natural epimutations in the cadastral gene, SUPERMAN(SUP), showing striking phenotypes despite normal transcription, discovered in a natural tetraploid, and subsequently in eleven diploid Arabidopsis genetic accessions. This natural lois lane(lol) epialleles behave as recessive mendelian alleles displaying a spectrum of silent to strong superwoman phenotypes affecting only the carpel whorl, in contrast to semi-dominant superman or supersex features manifested by induced epialleles which affect both stamen and carpel whorls. Despite its unknown origin, natural lol epialleles are subjected to the same epigenetic regulation as induced clk epialleles. The existence of superwoman epialleles in diverse wild populations is interpreted in the light of the evolution of unisexuality in plants. Ramesh Bondada et al. report natural epimutations in the Arabidopsis SUPERMAN gene from tetraploid and diploid accessions. The existence of these epialleles in diverse wild populations have the potential to shed light on the evolution of unisexuality in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Bondada
- School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)-Thiruvananthapuram, Vithura, Kerala, 695551, India
| | - Saravanakumar Somasundaram
- School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)-Thiruvananthapuram, Vithura, Kerala, 695551, India
| | | | - Mohammed Afsal Badarudeen
- School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)-Thiruvananthapuram, Vithura, Kerala, 695551, India
| | - Vaishak Kanjirakol Puthiyaveedu
- School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)-Thiruvananthapuram, Vithura, Kerala, 695551, India
| | - Ravi Maruthachalam
- School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)-Thiruvananthapuram, Vithura, Kerala, 695551, India.
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19
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Kundariya H, Yang X, Morton K, Sanchez R, Axtell MJ, Hutton SF, Fromm M, Mackenzie SA. MSH1-induced heritable enhanced growth vigor through grafting is associated with the RdDM pathway in plants. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5343. [PMID: 33093443 PMCID: PMC7582163 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19140-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants transmit signals long distances, as evidenced in grafting experiments that create distinct rootstock-scion junctions. Noncoding small RNA is a signaling molecule that is graft transmissible, participating in RNA-directed DNA methylation; but the meiotic transmissibility of graft-mediated epigenetic changes remains unclear. Here, we exploit the MSH1 system in Arabidopsis and tomato to introduce rootstock epigenetic variation to grafting experiments. Introducing mutations dcl2, dcl3 and dcl4 to the msh1 rootstock disrupts siRNA production and reveals RdDM targets of methylation repatterning. Progeny from grafting experiments show enhanced growth vigor relative to controls. This heritable enhancement-through-grafting phenotype is RdDM-dependent, involving 1380 differentially methylated genes, many within auxin-related gene pathways. Growth vigor is associated with robust root growth of msh1 graft progeny, a phenotype associated with auxin transport based on inhibitor assays. Large-scale field experiments show msh1 grafting effects on tomato plant performance, heritable over five generations, demonstrating the agricultural potential of epigenetic variation. The meiotic transmissibility and progeny phenotypic influence of graft-mediated epigenetic changes remain unclear. Here, the authors use the msh1 mutant in the rootstock to trigger heritable enhanced growth vigor in Arabidopsis and tomato, and show it is associated with the RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hardik Kundariya
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA.,Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Xiaodong Yang
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Kyla Morton
- EpiCrop Technologies, Inc., Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Robersy Sanchez
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Michael J Axtell
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Samuel F Hutton
- Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, IFAS, University of Florida, Wimauma, FL, USA
| | | | - Sally A Mackenzie
- Departments of Biology and Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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20
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Varotto S, Tani E, Abraham E, Krugman T, Kapazoglou A, Melzer R, Radanović A, Miladinović D. Epigenetics: possible applications in climate-smart crop breeding. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:5223-5236. [PMID: 32279074 PMCID: PMC7475248 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
To better adapt transiently or lastingly to stimuli from the surrounding environment, the chromatin states in plant cells vary to allow the cells to fine-tune their transcriptional profiles. Modifications of chromatin states involve a wide range of post-transcriptional histone modifications, histone variants, DNA methylation, and activity of non-coding RNAs, which can epigenetically determine specific transcriptional outputs. Recent advances in the area of '-omics' of major crops have facilitated identification of epigenetic marks and their effect on plant response to environmental stresses. As most epigenetic mechanisms are known from studies in model plants, we summarize in this review recent epigenetic studies that may be important for improvement of crop adaptation and resilience to environmental changes, ultimately leading to the generation of stable climate-smart crops. This has paved the way for exploitation of epigenetic variation in crop breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Varotto
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals, and the Environment, University of Padova, Agripolis, Viale dell’Università, Padova, Italy
| | - Eleni Tani
- Department of Crop Science, Laboratory of Plant Breeding and Biometry, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Abraham
- Laboratory of Range Science, School of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Tamar Krugman
- Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Aliki Kapazoglou
- Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture (IOSV), Department of Vitis, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Demeter (HAO-Demeter), Lykovrysi, Greece
| | - Rainer Melzer
- School of Biology and Environmental Science and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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21
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Lu Y, Zhou DX, Zhao Y. Understanding epigenomics based on the rice model. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2020; 133:1345-1363. [PMID: 31897514 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-019-03518-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the recent researches on rice epigenomics, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, noncoding RNAs, and three-dimensional genomics. The challenges and perspectives for future research in rice are discussed. Rice as a model plant for epigenomic studies has much progressed current understanding of epigenetics in plants. Recent results on rice epigenome profiling and three-dimensional chromatin structure studies reveal specific features and implication in gene regulation during rice plant development and adaptation to environmental changes. Results on rice chromatin regulator functions shed light on mechanisms of establishment, recognition, and resetting of epigenomic information in plants. Cloning of several rice epialleles associated with important agronomic traits highlights importance of epigenomic variation in rice plant growth, fitness, and yield. In this review, we summarize and analyze recent advances in rice epigenomics and discuss challenges and directions for future research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Lu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Dao-Xiu Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Institute of Plant Science of Paris-Saclay (IPS2), CNRS, INRA, University Paris-Sud, University Paris-Saclay, 91405, Orsay, France
| | - Yu Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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22
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Crisp PA, Hammond R, Zhou P, Vaillancourt B, Lipzen A, Daum C, Barry K, de Leon N, Buell CR, Kaeppler SM, Meyers BC, Hirsch CN, Springer NM. Variation and Inheritance of Small RNAs in Maize Inbreds and F1 Hybrids. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 182:318-331. [PMID: 31575624 PMCID: PMC6945832 DOI: 10.1104/pp.19.00817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Small RNAs (sRNAs) regulate gene expression, play important roles in epigenetic pathways, and are hypothesized to contribute to hybrid vigor in plants. Prior investigations have provided valuable insights into associations between sRNAs and heterosis, often using a single hybrid genotype or tissue, but our understanding of the role of sRNAs and their potential value to plant breeding are limited by an incomplete picture of sRNA variation between diverse genotypes and development stages. Here, we provide a deep exploration of sRNA variation and inheritance among a panel of 108 maize (Zea mays) samples spanning five tissues from eight inbred parents and 12 hybrid genotypes, covering a spectrum of heterotic groups, genetic variation, and levels of heterosis for various traits. We document substantial developmental and genotypic influences on sRNA expression, with varying patterns for 21-nucleotide (nt), 22-nt, and 24-nt sRNAs. We provide a detailed view of the distribution of sRNAs in the maize genome, revealing a complex makeup that also shows developmental plasticity, particularly for 22-nt sRNAs. sRNAs exhibited substantially more variation between inbreds as compared with observed variation for gene expression. In hybrids, we identify locus-specific examples of nonadditive inheritance, mostly characterized as partial or complete dominance, but rarely outside the parental range. However, the global abundance of 21-nt, 22-nt, and 24-nt sRNAs varies very little between inbreds and hybrids, suggesting that hybridization affects sRNA expression principally at specific loci rather than on a global scale. This study provides a valuable resource for understanding the potential role of sRNAs in hybrid vigor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Crisp
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108
| | - Reza Hammond
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19711
| | - Peng Zhou
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108
| | - Brieanne Vaillancourt
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Anna Lipzen
- United States Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California 94598
| | - Chris Daum
- United States Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California 94598
| | - Kerrie Barry
- United States Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California 94598
| | - Natalia de Leon
- Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - C Robin Buell
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Shawn M Kaeppler
- Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - Blake C Meyers
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri 63132
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211
| | - Candice N Hirsch
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108
| | - Nathan M Springer
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108
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23
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Grob S, Grossniklaus U. Invasive DNA elements modify the nuclear architecture of their insertion site by KNOT-linked silencing in Arabidopsis thaliana. Genome Biol 2019; 20:120. [PMID: 31186073 PMCID: PMC6560877 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-019-1722-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The three-dimensional (3D) organization of chromosomes is linked to epigenetic regulation and transcriptional activity. However, only few functional features of 3D chromatin architecture have been described to date. The KNOT is a 3D chromatin structure in Arabidopsis, comprising 10 interacting genomic regions termed KNOT ENGAGED ELEMENTs (KEEs). KEEs are enriched in transposable elements and associated small RNAs, suggesting a function in transposon biology. RESULTS Here, we report the KNOT's involvement in regulating invasive DNA elements. Transgenes can specifically interact with the KNOT, leading to perturbations of 3D nuclear organization, which correlates with the transgene's expression: high KNOT interaction frequencies are associated with transgene silencing. KNOT-linked silencing (KLS) cannot readily be connected to canonical silencing mechanisms, such as RNA-directed DNA methylation and post-transcriptional gene silencing, as both cytosine methylation and small RNA abundance do not correlate with KLS. Furthermore, KLS exhibits paramutation-like behavior, as silenced transgenes can lead to the silencing of active transgenes in trans. CONCLUSION Transgene silencing can be connected to a specific feature of Arabidopsis 3D nuclear organization, namely the KNOT. KLS likely acts either independent of or prior to canonical silencing mechanisms, such that its characterization not only contributes to our understanding of chromosome folding but also provides valuable insights into how genomes are defended against invasive DNA elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Grob
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology & Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Ueli Grossniklaus
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology & Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland.
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24
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Lv Z, Zhang W, Wu Y, Huang S, Zhou Y, Zhang A, Deng X, Xu C, Xu Z, Gong L, Liu B. Extensive allele-level remodeling of histone methylation modification in reciprocal F 1 hybrids of rice subspecies. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 97:571-586. [PMID: 30375057 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms play a major role in heterosis, partly as a result of the remodeling of epigenetic modifications in F1 hybrids. Based on chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-Seq) analyses, we show that at the allele level extensive histone methylation remodeling occurred for a subset of genomic loci in reciprocal F1 hybrids of Oryza sativa (rice) cultivars Nipponbare and 93-11, representing the two subspecies japonica and indica. Globally, the allele modification-altered loci in leaf or root of the reciprocal F1 hybrids involved ˜12-43% or more of the genomic regions carrying either of two typical histone methylation markers, H3K4me3 (>21 000 genomic regions) and H3K27me3 (>11 000 genomic regions). Nevertheless, at the total modification level, the majority (from ˜43 to >90%) of the modification-altered alleles lay within the range of parental additivity in the hybrids because of concerted alteration in opposite directions, consistent with an overall attenuation of allelic differences in the modifications. Importantly, of the genomic regions that did show non-additivity in total modification level by either marker in the two tissues of hybrids, >80% manifested transgressivity, which involved genes enriched in specific functional categories. Extensive allele-level alteration of H3K4me3 alone was positively correlated with genome-wide changes in allele-level gene expression, whereas at the total level, both H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 remodeling, although affecting just a small number of genes, contributes to the overall non-additive gene expression to variable extents, depending on tissue/marker combinations. Our results emphasize the importance of allele-level analysis in hybrids to assess the remodeling of epigenetic modifications and their relation to changes in gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenling Lv
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Shuangzhan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Yunxiao Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Ai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Xin Deng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Chunming Xu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Zhengyi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Lei Gong
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Bao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
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25
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Yoshida T, Tarutani Y, Kakutani T, Kawabe A. DNA Methylation Diversification at the Integrated Organellar DNA-Like Sequence. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9120602. [PMID: 30513997 PMCID: PMC6316516 DOI: 10.3390/genes9120602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants have a lot of diversity in epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation in their natural populations or cultivars. Although many studies observing the epigenetic diversity within and among species have been reported, the mechanisms how these variations are generated are still not clear. In addition to the de novo spontaneous epi-mutation, the intra- and inter-specific crossing can also cause a change of epigenetic modifications in their progenies. Here we report an example of diversification of DNA methylation by crossing and succeeding selfing. We traced the inheritance pattern of epigenetic modification during the crossing experiment between two natural strains Columbia (Col), and Landsberg electa (Ler) in model plant Arabidopsis thaliana to observe the inheritance of DNA methylation in two organellar DNA-like sequence regions in the nuclear genome. Because organellar DNA integration to the nuclear genome is common in flowering plants and these sequences are occasionally methylated, such DNA could be the novel source of plant genome evolution. The amplicon sequencing, using bisulfite-converted DNA and a next-generation auto-sequencer, was able to efficiently track the heredity of DNA methylation in F1 and F2 populations. One region showed hypomethylation in the F1 population and succeeding elevation of DNA methylation with large variance in the F2 population. The methylation level of Col and Ler alleles in F2 heterozygotes showed a significant positive correlation, implying the trans-chromosomal effect on DNA methylation. The results may suggest the possible mechanism causing the natural epigenetic diversity within plant populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Yoshida
- Faculty of Life Science, Kyoto Sangyo University, Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-Ku, Kyoto 603-8555, Japan.
| | - Yoshiaki Tarutani
- Department of Integrated Genetics, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.
- Department of Genetics, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.
| | - Tetsuji Kakutani
- Department of Integrated Genetics, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.
- Department of Genetics, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.
- Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Akira Kawabe
- Faculty of Life Science, Kyoto Sangyo University, Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-Ku, Kyoto 603-8555, Japan.
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26
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Schmid MW, Heichinger C, Coman Schmid D, Guthörl D, Gagliardini V, Bruggmann R, Aluri S, Aquino C, Schmid B, Turnbull LA, Grossniklaus U. Contribution of epigenetic variation to adaptation in Arabidopsis. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4446. [PMID: 30361538 PMCID: PMC6202389 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06932-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In plants, transgenerational inheritance of some epialleles has been demonstrated but it remains controversial whether epigenetic variation is subject to selection and contributes to adaptation. Simulating selection in a rapidly changing environment, we compare phenotypic traits and epigenetic variation between Arabidopsis thaliana populations grown for five generations under selection and their genetically nearly identical ancestors. Selected populations of two distinct genotypes show significant differences in flowering time and plant architecture, which are maintained for at least 2–3 generations in the absence of selection. While we cannot detect consistent genetic changes, we observe a reduction of epigenetic diversity and changes in the methylation state of about 50,000 cytosines, some of which are associated with phenotypic changes. Thus, we propose that epigenetic variation is subject to selection and can contribute to rapid adaptive responses, although the extent to which epigenetics plays a role in adaptation is still unclear. Whether plant epigenetic variation is subject to selection and contributes to adaptation is under debate. Here, the authors compare DNA methylation and phenotypes of Arabidopsis lines subject to simulated selection and their nearly isogenic ancestors and provide evidence that epigenetic variation contributes to adaptive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc W Schmid
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Basel, Tannenstrasse 1, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.,Service and Support for Science IT, University of Zurich, Stampfenbachstrasse 73, 8006, Zurich, Switzerland.,MWSchmid GmbH, Möhrlistrasse 25, 8006, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Heichinger
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Basel, Tannenstrasse 1, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.,L. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Diana Coman Schmid
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Basel, Tannenstrasse 1, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.,Scientific IT Services, ETH Zurich, Weinbergstrasse 11, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Guthörl
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Basel, Tannenstrasse 1, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Valeria Gagliardini
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Basel, Tannenstrasse 1, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rémy Bruggmann
- Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Bern, Hochschulstrasse 6, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sirisha Aluri
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, ETH and University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Catharine Aquino
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, ETH and University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bernhard Schmid
- Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Basel, Tannenstrasse 1, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lindsay A Turnbull
- Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Basel, Tannenstrasse 1, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RB, UK
| | - Ueli Grossniklaus
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Basel, Tannenstrasse 1, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
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27
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Junaid A, Kumar H, Rao AR, Patil AN, Singh NK, Gaikwad K. Unravelling the epigenomic interactions between parental inbreds resulting in an altered hybrid methylome in pigeonpea. DNA Res 2018; 25:361-373. [PMID: 29566130 PMCID: PMC6105106 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsy008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an important heritable landmark conferring epigenetic changes in hybrids and has fascinated biologists and plant-breeders over the years. Although epigenetic changes have been documented in rice and maize hybrids, such investigations have not been reported in pigeonpea. Here, we report genome-wide methylation profiles of pigeonpea sterile and fertile inbred lines and their fertile F1 hybrid at single base resolution. We found that pigeonpea genome is relatively enriched in CG methylation. Identification of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in the sterile and fertile parent revealed remarkable differences between their methylation patterns. Investigation of methylation status of parental DMRs in hybrid revealed non-additive methylation patterns resulting from trans-chromosomal methylation and trans-chromosomal demethylation events. Furthermore, we discovered several DMRs negatively associated with gene expression in the hybrid and fertile parent. Interestingly, many of those DMRs belonged to transposable elements and genes encoding pentatricopeptide repeats associated proteins, which may mediate a role in modulating the genes impacting pollen fertility. Overall, our findings provide an understanding of two parental epigenomes interacting to give rise to an altered methylome in pigeonpea hybrids, from genome-wide point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alim Junaid
- National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, LBS Centre, PUSA Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Himanshu Kumar
- Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - A R Rao
- Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - A N Patil
- Pulse Reaserch Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, P.O. Krishi Nagar, Akola, Maharashtra, India
| | - N K Singh
- National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, LBS Centre, PUSA Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Kishor Gaikwad
- National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, LBS Centre, PUSA Campus, New Delhi, India
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28
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Partial maintenance of organ-specific epigenetic marks during plant asexual reproduction leads to heritable phenotypic variation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E9145-E9152. [PMID: 30201727 PMCID: PMC6166847 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1805371115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
While clonally propagated individuals should share identical genomes, there is often substantial phenotypic variation among them. Both genetic and epigenetic modifications induced during regeneration have been associated with this phenomenon. Here we investigated the fate of the epigenome after asexual propagation by generating clonal individuals from differentiated somatic cells through the manipulation of a zygotic transcription factor. We found that phenotypic novelty in clonal progeny was linked to epigenetic imprints that reflect the organ used for regeneration. Some of these organ-specific imprints can be maintained during the cloning process and subsequent rounds of meiosis. Our findings are fundamental for understanding the significance of epigenetic variability arising from asexual reproduction and have significant implications for future biotechnological applications. Plants differ from animals in their capability to easily regenerate fertile adult individuals from terminally differentiated cells. This unique developmental plasticity is commonly observed in nature, where many species can reproduce asexually through the ectopic initiation of organogenic or embryogenic developmental programs. While organ-specific epigenetic marks are not passed on during sexual reproduction, the fate of epigenetic marks during asexual reproduction and the implications for clonal progeny remain unclear. Here we report that organ-specific epigenetic imprints in Arabidopsis thaliana can be partially maintained during asexual propagation from somatic cells in which a zygotic program is artificially induced. The altered marks are inherited even over multiple rounds of sexual reproduction, becoming fixed in hybrids and resulting in heritable molecular and physiological phenotypes that depend on the identity of the founder tissue. Consequently, clonal plants display distinct interactions with beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms. Our results demonstrate how novel phenotypic variation in plants can be unlocked through altered inheritance of epigenetic marks upon asexual propagation.
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29
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Transcriptome Analysis of Four Arabidopsis thaliana Mediator Tail Mutants Reveals Overlapping and Unique Functions in Gene Regulation. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2018; 8:3093-3108. [PMID: 30049745 PMCID: PMC6118316 DOI: 10.1534/g3.118.200573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The Mediator complex is a central component of transcriptional regulation in Eukaryotes. The complex is structurally divided into four modules known as the head, middle, tail and kinase modules, and in Arabidopsis thaliana, comprises 28-34 subunits. Here, we explore the functions of four Arabidopsis Mediator tail subunits, MED2, MED5a/b, MED16, and MED23, by comparing the impact of mutations in each on the Arabidopsis transcriptome. We find that these subunits affect both unique and overlapping sets of genes, providing insight into the functional and structural relationships between them. The mutants primarily exhibit changes in the expression of genes related to biotic and abiotic stress. We find evidence for a tissue specific role for MED23, as well as in the production of alternative transcripts. Together, our data help disentangle the individual contributions of these MED subunits to global gene expression and suggest new avenues for future research into their functions.
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30
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Lauss K, Wardenaar R, Oka R, van Hulten MHA, Guryev V, Keurentjes JJB, Stam M, Johannes F. Parental DNA Methylation States Are Associated with Heterosis in Epigenetic Hybrids. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 176:1627-1645. [PMID: 29196538 PMCID: PMC5813580 DOI: 10.1104/pp.17.01054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Despite the importance and wide exploitation of heterosis in commercial crop breeding, the molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon are not completely understood. Recent studies have implicated changes in DNA methylation and small RNAs in hybrid performance; however, it remains unclear whether epigenetic changes are a cause or a consequence of heterosis. Here, we analyze a large panel of over 500 Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) epigenetic hybrid plants (epiHybrids), which we derived from near-isogenic but epigenetically divergent parents. This proof-of-principle experimental system allowed us to quantify the contribution of parental methylation differences to heterosis. We measured traits such as leaf area, growth rate, flowering time, main stem branching, rosette branching, and final plant height and observed several strong positive and negative heterotic phenotypes among the epiHybrids. Using an epigenetic quantitative trait locus mapping approach, we were able to identify specific differentially methylated regions in the parental genomes that are associated with hybrid performance. Sequencing of methylomes, transcriptomes, and genomes of selected parent-epiHybrid combinations further showed that these parental differentially methylated regions most likely mediate the remodeling of methylation and transcriptional states at specific loci in the hybrids. Taken together, our data suggest that locus-specific epigenetic divergence between the parental lines can directly or indirectly trigger heterosis in Arabidopsis hybrids independent of genetic changes. These results add to a growing body of evidence that points to epigenetic factors as one of the key determinants of hybrid performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Lauss
- University of Amsterdam, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, 1098XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - René Wardenaar
- University of Groningen, Groningen Bioinformatics Centre, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rurika Oka
- University of Amsterdam, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, 1098XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke H A van Hulten
- Wageningen University and Research, Laboratory of Genetics, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Victor Guryev
- Genome Structure Aging, European Research Institute for the Biology of Aging, University Medical Centre Groningen and University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost J B Keurentjes
- Wageningen University and Research, Laboratory of Genetics, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maike Stam
- University of Amsterdam, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, 1098XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Johannes
- Population Epigenetics and Epigenomics, Department of Plant Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
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31
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Shen Y, Sun S, Hua S, Shen E, Ye CY, Cai D, Timko MP, Zhu QH, Fan L. Analysis of transcriptional and epigenetic changes in hybrid vigor of allopolyploid Brassica napus uncovers key roles for small RNAs. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 91:874-893. [PMID: 28544196 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.13605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Heterosis is a fundamental biological phenomenon characterized by the superior performance of a hybrid compared with its parents. The underlying molecular basis for heterosis, particularly for allopolyploids, remains elusive. In this study we analyzed the transcriptomes of Brassica napus parental lines and their F1 hybrids at three stages of early flower development. Phenotypically, the F1 hybrids show remarkable heterosis in silique number and grain yield. Transcriptome analysis revealed that various phytohormone (auxin and salicylic acid) response genes are significantly altered in the F1 hybrids relative to the parental lines. We also found evidence for decreased expression divergence of the homoeologous gene pairs in the allopolyploid F1 hybrids and suggest that high-parental expression-level dominance plays an important role in heterosis. Small RNA and methylation studies aimed at examining the epigenetic effect of the changes in gene expression level in the F1 hybrids showed that the majority of the small interfering RNA (siRNA) clusters had a higher expression level in the F1 hybrids than in the parents, and that there was an increase in genome-wide DNA methylation in the F1 hybrid. Transposable elements associated with siRNA clusters had a higher level of methylation and a lower expression level in the F1 hybrid, implying that the non-additively expressed siRNA clusters resulted in lower activity of the transposable elements through DNA methylation in the hybrid. Our data provide insights into the role that changes in gene expression pattern and epigenetic mechanisms contribute to heterosis during early flower development in allopolyploid B. napus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Shen
- Institute of Crop Science and Institute of Bioinformatics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Shuo Sun
- Institute of Crop Science and Institute of Bioinformatics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Shuijin Hua
- Institute of Crop and Utilization of Nuclear Technology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, China
| | - Enhui Shen
- Institute of Crop Science and Institute of Bioinformatics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Chu-Yu Ye
- Institute of Crop Science and Institute of Bioinformatics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Daguang Cai
- Institute of Phytopathology, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Hermann Rodewald Str. 9, D-24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Michael P Timko
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Qian-Hao Zhu
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Black Mountain Laboratories, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Longjiang Fan
- Institute of Crop Science and Institute of Bioinformatics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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32
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Dwivedi SL, Scheben A, Edwards D, Spillane C, Ortiz R. Assessing and Exploiting Functional Diversity in Germplasm Pools to Enhance Abiotic Stress Adaptation and Yield in Cereals and Food Legumes. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:1461. [PMID: 28900432 PMCID: PMC5581882 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.01461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
There is a need to accelerate crop improvement by introducing alleles conferring host plant resistance, abiotic stress adaptation, and high yield potential. Elite cultivars, landraces and wild relatives harbor useful genetic variation that needs to be more easily utilized in plant breeding. We review genome-wide approaches for assessing and identifying alleles associated with desirable agronomic traits in diverse germplasm pools of cereals and legumes. Major quantitative trait loci and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with desirable agronomic traits have been deployed to enhance crop productivity and resilience. These include alleles associated with variation conferring enhanced photoperiod and flowering traits. Genetic variants in the florigen pathway can provide both environmental flexibility and improved yields. SNPs associated with length of growing season and tolerance to abiotic stresses (precipitation, high temperature) are valuable resources for accelerating breeding for drought-prone environments. Both genomic selection and genome editing can also harness allelic diversity and increase productivity by improving multiple traits, including phenology, plant architecture, yield potential and adaptation to abiotic stresses. Discovering rare alleles and useful haplotypes also provides opportunities to enhance abiotic stress adaptation, while epigenetic variation has potential to enhance abiotic stress adaptation and productivity in crops. By reviewing current knowledge on specific traits and their genetic basis, we highlight recent developments in the understanding of crop functional diversity and identify potential candidate genes for future use. The storage and integration of genetic, genomic and phenotypic information will play an important role in ensuring broad and rapid application of novel genetic discoveries by the plant breeding community. Exploiting alleles for yield-related traits would allow improvement of selection efficiency and overall genetic gain of multigenic traits. An integrated approach involving multiple stakeholders specializing in management and utilization of genetic resources, crop breeding, molecular biology and genomics, agronomy, stress tolerance, and reproductive/seed biology will help to address the global challenge of ensuring food security in the face of growing resource demands and climate change induced stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Armin Scheben
- School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, PerthWA, Australia
| | - David Edwards
- School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, PerthWA, Australia
| | - Charles Spillane
- Plant and AgriBiosciences Research Centre, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland GalwayGalway, Ireland
| | - Rodomiro Ortiz
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesAlnarp, Sweden
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Jia J, Lu W, Zhong C, Zhou R, Xu J, Liu W, Gou X, Wang Q, Yin J, Xu C, Shan W. The 25-26 nt Small RNAs in Phytophthora parasitica Are Associated with Efficient Silencing of Homologous Endogenous Genes. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:773. [PMID: 28512457 PMCID: PMC5411455 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Small RNAs (sRNAs) are important non-coding RNA regulators, playing key roles in developmental regulation, transposon suppression, environmental response, host-pathogen interaction and other diverse biological processes. However, their roles in oomycetes are poorly understood. Here, we performed sRNA sequencing and RNA sequencing of Phytophthora parasitica at stages of vegetative growth and infection of Arabidopsis roots to examine diversity and function of sRNAs in P. parasitica, a model hemibiotrophic oomycete plant pathogen. Our results indicate that there are two distinct types of sRNA-generating loci in P. parasitica genome, giving rise to clusters of 25-26 nt and 21 nt sRNAs, respectively, with no significant strand-biases. The 25-26 nt sRNA loci lie predominantly in gene-sparse and repeat-rich regions, and overlap with over 7000 endogenous gene loci. These overlapped genes are typically P. parasitica species-specific, with no homologies to the sister species P. infestans. They include approximately 40% RXLR effector genes, 50% CRN effector genes and some elicitor genes. The transcripts of most of these genes could not be detected at both the vegetative mycelium and infection stages as revealed by RNA sequencing, indicating that the 25-26 nt sRNAs are associated with efficient silencing of these genes. The 21 nt sRNA loci typically overlap with the exon regions of highly expressed genes, suggesting that the biogenesis of the 21 nt sRNAs may be dependent on the level of gene transcription and that these sRNAs do not mediate efficient silencing of homologous genes. Analyses of the published P. infestans sRNA and mRNA sequencing data consistently show that the 25-26 nt sRNAs, but not the 21 nt sRNAs, may mediate efficient gene silencing in Phytophthora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbu Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China
| | - Wenqin Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China
| | - Chengcheng Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China
| | - Ran Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China
| | - Junjie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China
| | - Xiuhong Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China
| | - Qinhu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China
| | - Junliang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China
| | - Cheng Xu
- Chongqing Tobacco Research InstituteChongqing, China
| | - Weixing Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China.,State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China
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Kawanabe T, Ishikura S, Miyaji N, Sasaki T, Wu LM, Itabashi E, Takada S, Shimizu M, Takasaki-Yasuda T, Osabe K, Peacock WJ, Dennis ES, Fujimoto R. Role of DNA methylation in hybrid vigor in Arabidopsis thaliana. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E6704-E6711. [PMID: 27791039 PMCID: PMC5087013 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1613372113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Hybrid vigor or heterosis refers to the superior performance of F1 hybrid plants over their parents. Heterosis is particularly important in the production systems of major crops. Recent studies have suggested that epigenetic regulation such as DNA methylation is involved in heterosis, but the molecular mechanism of heterosis is still unclear. To address the epigenetic contribution to heterosis in Arabidopsis thaliana, we used mutant genes that have roles in DNA methylation. Hybrids between C24 and Columbia-0 (Col) without RNA polymerase IV (Pol IV) or methyltransferase I (MET1) function did not reduce the level of biomass heterosis (as evaluated by rosette diameter). Hybrids with a mutation in decrease in dna methylation 1 (ddm1) showed a decreased heterosis level. Vegetative heterosis in the ddm1 mutant hybrid was reduced but not eliminated; a complete reduction could result if there was a change in methylation at all loci critical for generating the level of heterosis, whereas if only a proportion of the loci have methylation changes there may only be a partial reduction in heterosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Kawanabe
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Sonoko Ishikura
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Naomi Miyaji
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Taku Sasaki
- Department of Integrated Genetics, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan
| | - Li Min Wu
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Etsuko Itabashi
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Satoko Takada
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Motoki Shimizu
- Iwate Biotechnology Research Center, 22-174-4, Narita, Kitakami, Iwate, 024-0003, Japan
| | - Takeshi Takasaki-Yasuda
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Kenji Osabe
- Plant Epigenetics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - W James Peacock
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia;
| | - Elizabeth S Dennis
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Ryo Fujimoto
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency, Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology, Saitama, 332-0012 Japan
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Twenty-four-nucleotide siRNAs produce heritable trans-chromosomal methylation in F1 Arabidopsis hybrids. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E6895-E6902. [PMID: 27791153 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1613623113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybrid Arabidopsis plants undergo epigenetic reprogramming producing decreased levels of 24-nt siRNAs and altered patterns of DNA methylation that can affect gene expression. Driving the changes in methylation are the processes trans-chromosomal methylation (TCM) and trans-chromosomal demethylation (TCdM). In TCM/TCdM the methylation state of one allele is altered to resemble the other allele. We show that Pol IV-dependent sRNAs are required to establish TCM events. The changes in DNA methylation and the associated changes in sRNA levels in the F1 hybrid can be maintained in subsequent generations and affect hundreds of regions in the F2 epigenome. The inheritance of these altered epigenetic states varies in F2 individuals, resulting in individuals with genetically identical loci displaying different epigenetic states and gene expression profiles. The change in methylation at these regions is associated with the presence of sRNAs. Loci without any sRNA activity can have altered methylation states, suggesting that a sRNA-independent mechanism may also contribute to the altered methylation state of the F1 and F2 generations.
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Zhang Q, Li Y, Xu T, Srivastava AK, Wang D, Zeng L, Yang L, He L, Zhang H, Zheng Z, Yang DL, Zhao C, Dong J, Gong Z, Liu R, Zhu JK. The chromatin remodeler DDM1 promotes hybrid vigor by regulating salicylic acid metabolism. Cell Discov 2016; 2:16027. [PMID: 27551435 PMCID: PMC4977722 DOI: 10.1038/celldisc.2016.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In plants, hybrid vigor is influenced by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms; however, the molecular pathways are poorly understood. We investigated the potential contributions of epigenetic regulators to heterosis in Arabidposis and found that the chromatin remodeler DECREASED DNA METHYLATION 1 (DDM1) affects early seedling growth heterosis in Col/C24 hybrids. ddm1 mutants showed impaired heterosis and increased expression of non-additively expressed genes related to salicylic acid metabolism. Interestingly, our data suggest that salicylic acid is a hormetic regulator of seedling growth heterosis, and that hybrid vigor arises from crosses that produce optimal salicylic acid levels. Although DNA methylation failed to correlate with differential non-additively expressed gene expression, we uncovered DDM1 as an epigenetic link between salicylic acid metabolism and heterosis, and propose that the endogenous salicylic acid levels of parental plants can be used to predict the heterotic outcome. Salicylic acid protects plants from pathogens and abiotic stress. Thus, our findings suggest that stress-induced hormesis, which has been associated with increased longevity in other organisms, may underlie specific hybrid vigor traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingzhu Zhang
- Shanghai Centre for Plant Stress Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai, China
| | - Yanqiang Li
- Shanghai Centre for Plant Stress Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Xu
- Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai, China
| | - Ashish Kumar Srivastava
- Shanghai Centre for Plant Stress Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Shanghai Centre for Plant Stress Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Zeng
- Shanghai Centre for Plant Stress Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai, China
| | - Lan Yang
- Shanghai Centre for Plant Stress Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai, China
| | - Li He
- Shanghai Centre for Plant Stress Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Shanghai Centre for Plant Stress Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai, China
| | - Zhimin Zheng
- Shanghai Centre for Plant Stress Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai, China
| | - Dong-Lei Yang
- Shanghai Centre for Plant Stress Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Zhao
- Shanghai Centre for Plant Stress Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Dong
- Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers University , Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Zhizhong Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University , Beijing, China
| | - Renyi Liu
- Shanghai Centre for Plant Stress Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Kang Zhu
- Shanghai Centre for Plant Stress Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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Tempered mlo broad-spectrum resistance to barley powdery mildew in an Ethiopian landrace. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29558. [PMID: 27404990 PMCID: PMC4941727 DOI: 10.1038/srep29558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Recessive mutations in the Mlo gene confer broad spectrum resistance in barley (Hordeum vulgare) to powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei), a widespread and damaging disease. However, all alleles discovered to date also display deleterious pleiotropic effects, including the naturally occurring mlo-11 mutant which is widely deployed in Europe. Recessive resistance was discovered in Eth295, an Ethiopian landrace, which was developmentally controlled and quantitative without spontaneous cell wall appositions or extensive necrosis and loss of photosynthetic tissue. This resistance is determined by two copies of the mlo-11 repeat units, that occur upstream to the wild-type Mlo gene, compared to 11-12 in commonly grown cultivars and was designated mlo-11 (cnv2). mlo-11 repeat unit copy number-dependent DNA methylation corresponded with cytological and macroscopic phenotypic differences between copy number variants. Sequence data indicated mlo-11 (cnv2) formed via recombination between progenitor mlo-11 repeat units and the 3' end of an adjacent stowaway MITE containing region. mlo-11 (cnv2) is the only example of a moderated mlo variant discovered to date and may have arisen by natural selection against the deleterious effects of the progenitor mlo-11 repeat unit configuration.
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Methylation interactions in Arabidopsis hybrids require RNA-directed DNA methylation and are influenced by genetic variation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E4248-56. [PMID: 27382183 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1607851113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is a conserved epigenetic mark in plants and many animals. How parental alleles interact in progeny to influence the epigenome is poorly understood. We analyzed the DNA methylomes of Arabidopsis Col and C24 ecotypes, and their hybrid progeny. Hybrids displayed nonadditive DNA methylation levels, termed methylation interactions, throughout the genome. Approximately 2,500 methylation interactions occurred at regions where parental DNA methylation levels are similar, whereas almost 1,000 were at differentially methylated regions in parents. Methylation interactions were characterized by an abundance of 24-nt small interfering RNAs. Furthermore, dysfunction of the RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway abolished methylation interactions but did not affect the increased biomass observed in hybrid progeny. Methylation interactions correlated with altered genetic variation within the genome, suggesting that they may play a role in genome evolution.
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Balao F, Tannhäuser M, Lorenzo MT, Hedrén M, Paun O. Genetic differentiation and admixture between sibling allopolyploids in the Dactylorhiza majalis complex. Heredity (Edinb) 2016; 116:351-61. [PMID: 26604189 PMCID: PMC4787024 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2015.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 10/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Allopolyploidization often happens recurrently, but the evolutionary significance of its iterative nature is not yet fully understood. Of particular interest are the gene flow dynamics and the mechanisms that allow young sibling polyploids to remain distinct while sharing the same ploidy, heritage and overlapping distribution areas. By using eight highly variable nuclear microsatellites, newly reported here, we investigate the patterns of divergence and gene flow between 386 polyploid and 42 diploid individuals, representing the sibling allopolyploids Dactylorhiza majalis s.s. and D. traunsteineri s.l. and their parents at localities across Europe. We make use in our inference of the distinct distribution ranges of the polyploids, including areas in which they are sympatric (that is, the Alps) or allopatric (for example, Pyrenees with D. majalis only and Britain with D. traunsteineri only). Our results show a phylogeographic signal, but no clear genetic differentiation between the allopolyploids, despite the visible phenotypic divergence between them. The results indicate that gene flow between sibling Dactylorhiza allopolyploids is frequent in sympatry, with potential implications for the genetic patterns across their entire distribution range. Limited interploidal introgression is also evidenced, in particular between D. incarnata and D. traunsteineri. Altogether the allopolyploid genomes appear to be porous for introgression from related diploids and polyploids. We conclude that the observed phenotypic divergence between D. majalis and D. traunsteineri is maintained by strong divergent selection on specific genomic areas with strong penetrance, but which are short enough to remain undetected by genotyping dispersed neutral markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Balao
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - M Tannhäuser
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - M T Lorenzo
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - M Hedrén
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - O Paun
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Gouil Q, Novák O, Baulcombe DC. SLTAB2 is the paramutated SULFUREA locus in tomato. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2016; 67:2655-64. [PMID: 26957563 PMCID: PMC4861014 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erw096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The sulfurea (sulf) allele is a silent epigenetic variant of a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) gene affecting pigment production. It is homozygous lethal but, in a heterozygote sulf/+, the wild-type (wt) allele undergoes silencing so that the plants exhibit chlorotic sectors. This transfer of the silenced state between alleles is termed paramutation and is best characterized in maize. To understand the mechanism of paramutation we mapped SULF to the orthologue SLTAB2 of an Arabidopsis gene that, consistent with the pigment deficiency, is involved in the translation of photosystem I. Paramutation of SLTAB2 is linked to an increase in DNA methylation and the production of small interfering RNAs at its promoter. Virus-induced gene silencing of SLTAB2 phenocopies sulf, consistent with the possibility that siRNAs mediate the paramutation of SULFUREA Unlike the maize systems, the paramutagenicity of sulf is not, however, associated with repeated sequences at the region of siRNA production or DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Gouil
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ondřej Novák
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Institute of Experimental Botany AS CR and Faculty of Science of Palacký University, CZ-78371 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - David C Baulcombe
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Del Toro-De León G, Lepe-Soltero D, Gillmor CS. Zygotic genome activation in isogenic and hybrid plant embryos. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2016; 29:148-53. [PMID: 26802806 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2015.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Revised: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is the onset of large-scale transcription that occurs after fertilization. In animal embryos, ZGA occurs after a period of transcriptional quiescence that varies between species. In plants, the timing of ZGA may also vary between species, and may or may not occur in a parent-of-origin dependent manner: some studies have shown a maternal bias in mRNA transcripts and gene activity in early embryogenesis, while other experiments have found the contribution of maternal and paternal genomes to be equal. In order to differentiate between maternal and paternal mRNAs, RNA sequencing studies of ZGA in plants have used embryos hybrid for polymorphic accessions. A recent genetic assay in Arabidopsis demonstrated significant variation in paternal allele activity between some hybrid combinations and isogenic embryos, as well as between different hybrid combinations, suggesting a possible source for conflicting results obtained by various experiments on paternal genome activation. We review recent literature on paternal genome activation studies in the zygote in both isogenic and hybrid embryos, and discuss possible explanations for the effects of hybridization on gene expression in early embryogenesis in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Del Toro-De León
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad (Langebio), Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Irapuato, Guanajuato 36821, México
| | - Daniel Lepe-Soltero
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad (Langebio), Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Irapuato, Guanajuato 36821, México
| | - C Stewart Gillmor
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad (Langebio), Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Irapuato, Guanajuato 36821, México.
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Springer NM, McGinnis KM. Paramutation in evolution, population genetics and breeding. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2015; 44:33-8. [PMID: 26325077 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2015.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Paramutation is a fascinating phenomenon in which directed allelic interactions result in heritable changes in the state of an allele. Paramutation has been carefully characterized at a handful of loci but the prevalence of paramutable/paramutagenic alleles is not well characterized within genomes or populations. In order to consider the role of paramutation in evolutionary processes and plant breeding, we focused on several questions. First, what causes certain alleles to become subject to paramutation? While paramutation clearly involves epigenetic regulation it is also true that only certain alleles defined by genetic sequences are able to participate in paramutation. Second, what is the prevalence of paramutation? There are only a handful of well-documented examples of paramutation. However, there is growing evidence that many loci may undergo changes in chromatin state or expression that are similar to changes observed as a result of paramutation. Third, how will paramutation events be inherited in natural or artificial populations? Many factors, including stability of epigenetic state, mating style and ploidy, may influence the prevalence of paramutation states within populations. Developing a clear understanding of the mechanisms and frequency of paramutation in crop plant genomes will facilitate new opportunities in genetic manipulation, and will also enhance plant breeding programs and our understanding of genome evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan M Springer
- Microbial and Plant Genomics Institute, Department of Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA.
| | - Karen M McGinnis
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
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Abstract
F1 hybrids can outperform their parents in yield and vegetative biomass, features of hybrid vigor that form the basis of the hybrid seed industry. The yield advantage of the F1 is lost in the F2 and subsequent generations. In Arabidopsis, from F2 plants that have a F1-like phenotype, we have by recurrent selection produced pure breeding F5/F6 lines, hybrid mimics, in which the characteristics of the F1 hybrid are stabilized. These hybrid mimic lines, like the F1 hybrid, have larger leaves than the parent plant, and the leaves have increased photosynthetic cell numbers, and in some lines, increased size of cells, suggesting an increased supply of photosynthate. A comparison of the differentially expressed genes in the F1 hybrid with those of eight hybrid mimic lines identified metabolic pathways altered in both; these pathways include down-regulation of defense response pathways and altered abiotic response pathways. F6 hybrid mimic lines are mostly homozygous at each locus in the genome and yet retain the large F1-like phenotype. Many alleles in the F6 plants, when they are homozygous, have expression levels different to the level in the parent. We consider this altered expression to be a consequence of transregulation of genes from one parent by genes from the other parent. Transregulation could also arise from epigenetic modifications in the F1. The pure breeding hybrid mimics have been valuable in probing the mechanisms of hybrid vigor and may also prove to be useful hybrid vigor equivalents in agriculture.
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Giacopelli BJ, Hollick JB. Trans-Homolog Interactions Facilitating Paramutation in Maize. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2015; 168:1226-36. [PMID: 26149572 PMCID: PMC4528761 DOI: 10.1104/pp.15.00591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Paramutations represent locus-specific trans-homolog interactions affecting the heritable silencing properties of endogenous alleles. Although examples of paramutation are well studied in maize (Zea mays), the responsible mechanisms remain unclear. Genetic analyses indicate roles for plant-specific DNA-dependent RNA polymerases that generate small RNAs, and current working models hypothesize that these small RNAs direct heritable changes at sequences often acting as transcriptional enhancers. Several studies have defined specific sequences that mediate paramutation behaviors, and recent results identify a diversity of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase complexes operating in maize. Other reports ascribe broader roles for some of these complexes in normal genome function. This review highlights recent research to understand the molecular mechanisms of paramutation and examines evidence relevant to small RNA-based modes of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian John Giacopelli
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Center for RNA Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Jay Brian Hollick
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Center for RNA Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
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Greaves IK, Gonzalez-Bayon R, Wang L, Zhu A, Liu PC, Groszmann M, Peacock WJ, Dennis ES. Epigenetic Changes in Hybrids. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2015; 168:1197-205. [PMID: 26002907 PMCID: PMC4528738 DOI: 10.1104/pp.15.00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Genome-wide approaches to the study of hybrid vigor have identified epigenetic changes in the hybrid nucleus in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), maize (Zea mays), and rice (Oryza sativa). DNA methylation associated with 24-nucleotide small interfering RNAs exhibits transallelic effects in hybrids of Arabidopsis and other species. Some of the transmethylation changes are inherited and some affect gene expression. Hybrids have larger leaves than those of the parents and have increases in cell size and number. The increased leaf size results in a greater photosynthetic capacity, which may support the increased vegetative and reproductive yields of the F1 hybrids. Genes and metabolic pathways that have altered expression relative to the parents include loci involved in responses to hormones and to biotic and abiotic stress. Whereas epigenetically induced changes in gene expression may contribute to hybrid vigor, the link between the transcriptional changes and the hybrid phenotype is not confirmed. Recurrent selection of high yielding F1 lines from the F2/F3 of a number of crops has fixed heterosis yields in pure breeding lines. These hybrid-like lines may have valuable applications in crop systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian K Greaves
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Agricultural Flagship, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600, Australia (I.K.G., R.G.-B., L.W., A.Z., P.-C.L., W.J.P., E.S.D.);Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia (M.G.); andUniversity of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia (W.J.P., E.S.D.)
| | - Rebeca Gonzalez-Bayon
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Agricultural Flagship, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600, Australia (I.K.G., R.G.-B., L.W., A.Z., P.-C.L., W.J.P., E.S.D.);Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia (M.G.); andUniversity of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia (W.J.P., E.S.D.)
| | - Li Wang
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Agricultural Flagship, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600, Australia (I.K.G., R.G.-B., L.W., A.Z., P.-C.L., W.J.P., E.S.D.);Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia (M.G.); andUniversity of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia (W.J.P., E.S.D.)
| | - Anyu Zhu
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Agricultural Flagship, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600, Australia (I.K.G., R.G.-B., L.W., A.Z., P.-C.L., W.J.P., E.S.D.);Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia (M.G.); andUniversity of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia (W.J.P., E.S.D.)
| | - Pei-Chuan Liu
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Agricultural Flagship, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600, Australia (I.K.G., R.G.-B., L.W., A.Z., P.-C.L., W.J.P., E.S.D.);Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia (M.G.); andUniversity of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia (W.J.P., E.S.D.)
| | - Michael Groszmann
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Agricultural Flagship, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600, Australia (I.K.G., R.G.-B., L.W., A.Z., P.-C.L., W.J.P., E.S.D.);Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia (M.G.); andUniversity of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia (W.J.P., E.S.D.)
| | - W James Peacock
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Agricultural Flagship, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600, Australia (I.K.G., R.G.-B., L.W., A.Z., P.-C.L., W.J.P., E.S.D.);Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia (M.G.); andUniversity of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia (W.J.P., E.S.D.)
| | - Elizabeth S Dennis
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Agricultural Flagship, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600, Australia (I.K.G., R.G.-B., L.W., A.Z., P.-C.L., W.J.P., E.S.D.);Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia (M.G.); andUniversity of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia (W.J.P., E.S.D.)
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Baroux C, Autran D. Chromatin dynamics during cellular differentiation in the female reproductive lineage of flowering plants. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 83:160-76. [PMID: 26031902 PMCID: PMC4502977 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Revised: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction in flowering plants offers a number of remarkable aspects to developmental biologists. First, the spore mother cells - precursors of the plant reproductive lineage - are specified late in development, as opposed to precocious germline isolation during embryogenesis in most animals. Second, unlike in most animals where meiosis directly produces gametes, plant meiosis entails the differentiation of a multicellular, haploid gametophyte, within which gametic as well as non-gametic accessory cells are formed. These observations raise the question of the factors inducing and modus operandi of cell fate transitions that originate in floral tissues and gametophytes, respectively. Cell fate transitions in the reproductive lineage imply cellular reprogramming operating at the physiological, cytological and transcriptome level, but also at the chromatin level. A number of observations point to large-scale chromatin reorganization events associated with cellular differentiation of the female spore mother cells and of the female gametes. These include a reorganization of the heterochromatin compartment, the genome-wide alteration of the histone modification landscape, and the remodeling of nucleosome composition. The dynamic expression of DNA methyltransferases and actors of small RNA pathways also suggest additional, global epigenetic alterations that remain to be characterized. Are these events a cause or a consequence of cellular differentiation, and how do they contribute to cell fate transition? Does chromatin dynamics induce competence for immediate cellular functions (meiosis, fertilization), or does it also contribute long-term effects in cellular identity and developmental competence of the reproductive lineage? This review attempts to review these fascinating questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célia Baroux
- Institute of Plant Biology and Zürich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of ZürichZollikerstrasse 107, 8008, Zürich, Switzerland
- *For correspondence (e-mail )
| | - Daphné Autran
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (UMR DIADE 232), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (URL 5300), Université de Montpellier911 avenue Agropolis, 34000, Montpellier, France
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Yang X, Kundariya H, Xu YZ, Sandhu A, Yu J, Hutton SF, Zhang M, Mackenzie SA. MutS HOMOLOG1-derived epigenetic breeding potential in tomato. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2015; 168:222-32. [PMID: 25736208 PMCID: PMC4424023 DOI: 10.1104/pp.15.00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Evidence is compelling in support of a naturally occurring epigenetic influence on phenotype expression in land plants, although discerning the epigenetic contribution is difficult. Agriculturally important attributes like heterosis, inbreeding depression, phenotypic plasticity, and environmental stress response are thought to have significant epigenetic components, but unequivocal demonstration of this is often infeasible. Here, we investigate gene silencing of a single nuclear gene, MutS HOMOLOG1 (MSH1), in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) 'Rutgers' to effect developmental reprogramming of the plant. The condition is heritable in subsequent generations independent of the MSH1-RNA interference transgene. Crossing these transgene-null, developmentally altered plants to the isogenic cv Rutgers wild type results in progeny lines that show enhanced, heritable growth vigor under both greenhouse and field conditions. This boosted vigor appears to be graft transmissible and is partially reversed by treatment with the methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine, implying the influence of mobile, epigenetic factors and DNA methylation changes. These data provide compelling evidence for the feasibility of epigenetic breeding in a crop plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Yang
- Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Functional Improvement for Horticultural Plants, Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, People's Republic of China (X.Y., M.Z.);Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0660 (X.Y., H.K., Y.-Z.X., A.S., J.Y., S.A.M.); andGulf Coast Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Wimauma, Florida 33598-6101 (S.F.H.)
| | - Hardik Kundariya
- Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Functional Improvement for Horticultural Plants, Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, People's Republic of China (X.Y., M.Z.);Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0660 (X.Y., H.K., Y.-Z.X., A.S., J.Y., S.A.M.); andGulf Coast Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Wimauma, Florida 33598-6101 (S.F.H.)
| | - Ying-Zhi Xu
- Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Functional Improvement for Horticultural Plants, Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, People's Republic of China (X.Y., M.Z.);Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0660 (X.Y., H.K., Y.-Z.X., A.S., J.Y., S.A.M.); andGulf Coast Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Wimauma, Florida 33598-6101 (S.F.H.)
| | - Ajay Sandhu
- Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Functional Improvement for Horticultural Plants, Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, People's Republic of China (X.Y., M.Z.);Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0660 (X.Y., H.K., Y.-Z.X., A.S., J.Y., S.A.M.); andGulf Coast Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Wimauma, Florida 33598-6101 (S.F.H.)
| | - Jiantao Yu
- Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Functional Improvement for Horticultural Plants, Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, People's Republic of China (X.Y., M.Z.);Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0660 (X.Y., H.K., Y.-Z.X., A.S., J.Y., S.A.M.); andGulf Coast Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Wimauma, Florida 33598-6101 (S.F.H.)
| | - Samuel F Hutton
- Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Functional Improvement for Horticultural Plants, Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, People's Republic of China (X.Y., M.Z.);Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0660 (X.Y., H.K., Y.-Z.X., A.S., J.Y., S.A.M.); andGulf Coast Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Wimauma, Florida 33598-6101 (S.F.H.)
| | - Mingfang Zhang
- Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Functional Improvement for Horticultural Plants, Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, People's Republic of China (X.Y., M.Z.);Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0660 (X.Y., H.K., Y.-Z.X., A.S., J.Y., S.A.M.); andGulf Coast Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Wimauma, Florida 33598-6101 (S.F.H.)
| | - Sally A Mackenzie
- Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Functional Improvement for Horticultural Plants, Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, People's Republic of China (X.Y., M.Z.);Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0660 (X.Y., H.K., Y.-Z.X., A.S., J.Y., S.A.M.); andGulf Coast Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Wimauma, Florida 33598-6101 (S.F.H.)
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Combes MC, Hueber Y, Dereeper A, Rialle S, Herrera JC, Lashermes P. Regulatory divergence between parental alleles determines gene expression patterns in hybrids. Genome Biol Evol 2015; 7:1110-21. [PMID: 25819221 PMCID: PMC4419803 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evv057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Both hybridization and allopolyploidization generate novel phenotypes by conciliating divergent genomes and regulatory networks in the same cellular context. To understand the rewiring of gene expression in hybrids, the total expression of 21,025 genes and the allele-specific expression of over 11,000 genes were quantified in interspecific hybrids and their parental species, Coffea canephora and Coffea eugenioides using RNA-seq technology. Between parental species, cis- and trans-regulatory divergences affected around 32% and 35% of analyzed genes, respectively, with nearly 17% of them showing both. The relative importance of trans-regulatory divergences between both species could be related to their low genetic divergence and perennial habit. In hybrids, among divergently expressed genes between parental species and hybrids, 77% was expressed like one parent (expression level dominance), including 65% like C. eugenioides. Gene expression was shown to result from the expression of both alleles affected by intertwined parental trans-regulatory factors. A strong impact of C. eugenioides trans-regulatory factors on the upregulation of C. canephora alleles was revealed. The gene expression patterns appeared determined by complex combinations of cis- and trans-regulatory divergences. In particular, the observed biased expression level dominance seemed to be derived from the asymmetric effects of trans-regulatory parental factors on regulation of alleles. More generally, this study illustrates the effects of divergent trans-regulatory parental factors on the gene expression pattern in hybrids. The characteristics of the transcriptional response to hybridization appear to be determined by the compatibility of gene regulatory networks and therefore depend on genetic divergences between the parental species and their evolutionary history.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Stéphanie Rialle
- MGX-Montpellier GenomiX, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier Cédex 5, France
| | - Juan-Carlos Herrera
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Cafe, CENICAFE - FNC, Manizales, Colombia
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Kuhlmann M, Finke A, Mascher M, Mette MF. DNA methylation maintenance consolidates RNA-directed DNA methylation and transcriptional gene silencing over generations in Arabidopsis thaliana. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 80:269-81. [PMID: 25070184 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Revised: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
In plants, 24 nucleotide short interfering RNAs serve as a signal to direct cytosine methylation at homologous DNA regions in the nucleus. If the targeted DNA has promoter function, this RNA-directed DNA methylation may result in transcriptional gene silencing. In a genetic screen for factors involved in RNA-directed transcriptional silencing of a ProNOS-NPTII reporter transgene in Arabidopsis thaliana, we captured alleles of DOMAINS REARRANGED METHYLTRANSFERASE 2, the gene encoding the DNA methyltransferase that is mainly responsible for de novo DNA methylation in the context of RNA-directed DNA methylation. Interestingly, methylation of the reporter gene ProNOS was not completely erased in these mutants, but persisted in the symmetric CG context, indicating that RNA-directed DNA methylation had been consolidated by DNA methylation maintenance. Taking advantage of the segregation of the transgenes giving rise to ProNOS short interfering RNAs and carrying the ProNOS-NPTII reporter in our experimental system, we found that ProNOS DNA methylation maintenance was first evident after two generations of ongoing RNA-directed DNA methylation, and then increased in extent with further generations. As ProNOS DNA methylation had already reached its final level in the first generation of RNA-directed DNA methylation, our findings suggest that establishment of DNA methylation at a particular region may be divided into distinct stages. An initial phase of efficient, but still fully reversible, de novo DNA methylation and transcriptional gene silencing is followed by transition to efficient maintenance of cytosine methylation in a symmetric sequence context accompanied by persistence of gene silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Kuhlmann
- Research Group Epigenetics, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, D-06466, Gatersleben, Germany
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