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Alakärppä E, Salo HM, Suokas M, Jokipii-Lukkari S, Vuosku J, Häggman H. Targeted bisulfite sequencing of Scots pine adaptation-related genes. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 346:112173. [PMID: 38944158 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.112173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
During environmental changes, epigenetic processes can enable adaptive responses faster than natural selection. In plants, very little is known about the role of DNA methylation during long-term adaptation. Scots pine is a widely distributed coniferous species which must adapt to different environmental conditions throughout its long lifespan. Thus, epigenetic modifications may contribute towards this direction. We provide bisulfite next-generation sequencing data from the putative promoters and exons of eight adaptation-related genes (A3IP2, CCA1, COL1, COL2, FTL2, MFT1, PHYO, and ZTL) in three Scots pine populations located in northern and southern parts of Finland. DNA methylation levels were studied in the two seed tissues: the maternal megagametophyte which contributes to embryo viability, and the biparental embryo which represents the next generation. In most genes, differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs) were in line with our previously demonstrated gene expression differences found in the same Scots pine populations. In addition, we found a strong correlation of total methylation levels between the embryo and megagametophyte tissues of a given individual tree, which indicates that DNA methylation can be inherited from the maternal parent. In conclusion, our results imply that DNA methylation differences may contribute to the adaptation of Scots pine populations in different climatic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmi Alakärppä
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, Oulu FI-90014, Finland.
| | - Heikki M Salo
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, Oulu FI-90014, Finland
| | - Marko Suokas
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, Oulu FI-90014, Finland
| | - Soile Jokipii-Lukkari
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, Oulu FI-90014, Finland
| | - Jaana Vuosku
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, Oulu FI-90014, Finland
| | - Hely Häggman
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, Oulu FI-90014, Finland
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2
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Miryeganeh M, Armitage DW. Epigenetic responses of trees to environmental stress in the context of climate change. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 39192567 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13132] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
In long-lived tree populations, when environmental change outpaces rates of evolutionary adaptation, plasticity in traits related to stress tolerance, dormancy, and dispersal may be vital for preventing extinction. While a population's genetic background partly determines its ability to adapt to a changing environment, so too do the many types of epigenetic modifications that occur within and among populations, which vary on timescales orders of magnitude faster than the emergence of new beneficial alleles. Consequently, phenotypic plasticity driven by epigenetic modification may be especially critical for sessile, long-lived organisms such as trees that must rely on this plasticity to keep pace with rapid anthropogenic environmental change. While studies have reported large effects of DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs on the expression of stress-tolerance genes and resulting phenotypic responses, little is known about the role of these effects in non-model plants and particularly in trees. Here, we review new findings in plant epigenetics with particular relevance to the ability of trees to adapt to or escape stressors associated with rapid climate change. Such findings include specific epigenetic influences over drought, heat, and salinity tolerance, as well as dormancy and dispersal traits. We also highlight promising findings concerning transgenerational inheritance of an epigenetic 'stress memory' in plants. As epigenetic information is becoming increasingly easy to obtain, we close by outlining ways in which ecologists can use epigenetic information better to inform population management and forecasting efforts. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind phenotypic plasticity and stress memory in tree species offers a promising path towards a mechanistic understanding of trees' responses to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matin Miryeganeh
- Integrative Community Ecology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - David W Armitage
- Integrative Community Ecology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
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3
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Taguchi YH, Komaki S, Sutoh Y, Ohmomo H, Otsuka-Yamasaki Y, Shimizu A. Integrated analysis of human DNA methylation, gene expression, and genomic variation in iMETHYL database using kernel tensor decomposition-based unsupervised feature extraction. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289029. [PMID: 37556429 PMCID: PMC10411815 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289029] [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: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Integrating gene expression, DNA methylation, and genomic variants simultaneously without location coincidence (i.e., irrespective of distance from each other) or pairwise coincidence (i.e., direct identification of triplets of gene expression, DNA methylation, and genomic variants, and not integration of pairwise coincidences) is difficult. In this study, we integrated gene expression, DNA methylation, and genome variants from the iMETHYL database using the recently proposed kernel tensor decomposition-based unsupervised feature extraction method with limited computational resources (i.e., short CPU time and small memory requirements). Our methods do not require prior knowledge of the subjects because they are fully unsupervised in that unsupervised tensor decomposition is used. The selected genes and genomic variants were significantly targeted by transcription factors that were biologically enriched in KEGG pathway terms as well as in the intra-related regulatory network. The proposed method is promising for integrated analyses of gene expression, methylation, and genomic variants with limited computational resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-h. Taguchi
- Department of Physics, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shohei Komaki
- Division of Biomedical Information Analysis, Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Disaster Reconstruction Center, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
| | - Yoichi Sutoh
- Division of Biomedical Information Analysis, Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Disaster Reconstruction Center, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
| | - Hideki Ohmomo
- Division of Biomedical Information Analysis, Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Disaster Reconstruction Center, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
| | - Yayoi Otsuka-Yamasaki
- Division of Biomedical Information Analysis, Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Disaster Reconstruction Center, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
| | - Atsushi Shimizu
- Division of Biomedical Information Analysis, Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Disaster Reconstruction Center, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
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Bondarenko V, Geras'kin S, Bondarenko E, Yoschenko V, Bondarenko S, Khanova A, Garbaruk D, Nanba K. Comparative analysis of epigenetic variability in two pine species exposed to chronic radiation in the chernobyl and fukushima affected zones. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 330:121799. [PMID: 37169241 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Comparative analysis of epigenetic variability in two pine species affected as a result of the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents is presented. The absorbed dose rate within the affected Chernobyl sites varies over a wider range (1.5-24.6 μGy/h) than within the Fukushima sites (3.5-6.5 μGy/h). It was shown that chronic irradiation can change the level of whole genome methylation in pine populations, but in different ways. The genomes of Japanese red pines are hypomethylated, and the degree of methylation and hydroxymethylation decreases with an increase in the level of radiation exposure. In contrast, the percentages of genome methylation and hydroxymethylation in Scots pine populations exceed the reference levels. The observed discrepancy in the patterns of genome-wide DNA methylation can be attributed partly to the design of the study (differences in the climate, radiation dose, age and species of the pines) which could affect the results. In the frame of IRAP analysis, a larger number of different bands was observed in the Chernobyl populations compared to the Japanese populations. Both the Japanese and Chernobyl populations are characterized by significant genetic variability. However, the main part of this variability is observed within populations. The dendrograms, based on presence/absence of IRAP fragments and Nei's genetic distances, revealed subdivisions of the Chernobyl and Japanese populations according to the level of radioactive contamination. Analysis of the results presented will improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the responses of pine trees to chronic radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Bondarenko
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe Shosse, 109 Km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, 249032, Russian Federation
| | - Stanislav Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe Shosse, 109 Km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, 249032, Russian Federation.
| | - Ekaterina Bondarenko
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe Shosse, 109 Km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, 249032, Russian Federation
| | - Vasyl Yoschenko
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity of Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima, 960-1296, Japan
| | - Sergey Bondarenko
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe Shosse, 109 Km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, 249032, Russian Federation
| | - Anastasiya Khanova
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe Shosse, 109 Km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, 249032, Russian Federation
| | - Dmitriy Garbaruk
- Polesye State Radiation-Ecological Reserve, 247618, Tereshkovoy Str. 7, Khoyniki, Belarus
| | - Kenji Nanba
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity of Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima, 960-1296, Japan
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Vaitiekūnaitė D, Dodoo D, Snitka V. Traceability of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) of the Baltic-Nordic region using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS): DFT simulation-based DNA analysis. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2023; 288:122192. [PMID: 36493623 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2022.122192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Food traceability is a major issue in the industry. We investigated whether bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) from 4 different locations within the Baltic-Nordic region could be effectively differentiated using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) based spectral data and chemometric analyses. Furthermore, we aimed to determine if nucleobase (adenine and cytosine) methylation could be responsible for any observed variation. Our experiment was successful in that both principal component (PCA) and discriminant function analyses (DFA) showed differentiation between bilberry DNA from all 4 geographical regions. Density functional theory (DFT) based simulations allowed us to analyze whether DNA's spectral data dissimilarities may be due to nucleobase methylation. Although results were inconclusive on this, our investigation provides valuable data on simulated versus experimental DNA and DNA component spectra. Further research will be directed towards understanding what other epigenetic changes could be responsible for the observed DNA variation as well as determining the optimal parameters for using DFT simulations in upcoming projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorotėja Vaitiekūnaitė
- Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Laboratory of Forest Plant Biotechnology Institute of Forestry, Liepu st. 1, LT-53101 Girionys, Lithuania.
| | - Daniel Dodoo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Valentinas Snitka
- Research Center for Microsystems and Nanotechnology, Kaunas University of Technology, Studentu str. 65, LT-51369 Kaunas, Lithuania.
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Cobo-Simón I, Maloof JN, Li R, Amini H, Méndez-Cea B, García-García I, Gómez-Garrido J, Esteve-Codina A, Dabad M, Alioto T, Wegrzyn JL, Seco JI, Linares JC, Gallego FJ. Contrasting transcriptomic patterns reveal a genomic basis for drought resilience in the relict fir Abies pinsapo Boiss. TREE PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 43:315-334. [PMID: 36210755 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpac115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Climate change challenges the adaptive capacity of several forest tree species in the face of increasing drought and rising temperatures. Therefore, understanding the mechanistic connections between genetic diversity and drought resilience is highly valuable for conserving drought-sensitive forests. Nonetheless, the post-drought recovery in trees from a transcriptomic perspective has not yet been studied by comparing contrasting phenotypes. Here, experimental drought treatments, gas-exchange dynamics and transcriptomic analysis (RNA-seq) were performed in the relict and drought-sensitive fir Abies pinsapo Boiss. to identify gene expression differences over immediate (24 h) and extended drought (20 days). Post-drought responses were investigated to define resilient and sensitive phenotypes. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were also studied to characterize the genomic basis of A. pinsapo drought resilience. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis showed an activation of stomatal closing and an inhibition of plant growth-related genes during the immediate drought, consistent with an isohydric dynamic. During the extended drought, transcription factors, as well as cellular damage and homeostasis protection-related genes prevailed. Resilient individuals activate photosynthesis-related genes and inhibit aerial growth-related genes, suggesting a shifting shoot/root biomass allocation to improve water uptake and whole-plant carbon balance. About, 152 fixed SNPs were found between resilient and sensitive seedlings, which were mostly located in RNA-activity-related genes, including epigenetic regulation. Contrasting gene expression and SNPs were found between different post-drought resilience phenotypes for the first time in a forest tree, suggesting a transcriptomic and genomic basis for drought resilience. The obtained drought-related transcriptomic profile and drought-resilience candidate genes may guide conservation programs for this threatened tree species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Cobo-Simón
- Dpto Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Univ. Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
- Dpto Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología, Unidad de Genética, Facultad de CC Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Julin N Maloof
- University of California at Davis, Department of Plant Biology, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Ruijuan Li
- University of California at Davis, Department of Plant Biology, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Hajar Amini
- University of California at Davis, Department of Plant Biology, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Belén Méndez-Cea
- Dpto Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología, Unidad de Genética, Facultad de CC Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Isabel García-García
- Dpto Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología, Unidad de Genética, Facultad de CC Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Jèssica Gómez-Garrido
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Anna Esteve-Codina
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Marc Dabad
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Tyler Alioto
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Jill L Wegrzyn
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - José Ignacio Seco
- Dpto Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Univ. Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Linares
- Dpto Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Univ. Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Gallego
- Dpto Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología, Unidad de Genética, Facultad de CC Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid 28040, Spain
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7
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Vuosku J, Martz F, Hallikainen V, Rautio P. Changing winter climate and snow conditions induce various transcriptional stress responses in Scots pine seedlings. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1050903. [PMID: 36570907 PMCID: PMC9780549 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1050903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In northern boreal forests the warming winter climate leads to more frequent snowmelt, rain-on-snow events and freeze-thaw cycles. This may be harmful or even lethal for tree seedlings that spend even a half of the year under snow. We conducted a snow cover manipulation experiment in a natural forest to find out how changing snow conditions affect young Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings. The ice encasement (IE), absence of snow (NoSNOW) and snow compaction (COMP) treatments affected ground level temperature, ground frost and subnivean gas concentrations compared to the ambient snow cover (AMB) and led to the increased physical damage and mortality of seedlings. The expression responses of 28 genes related to circadian clock, aerobic and anaerobic energy metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and stress protection revealed that seedlings were exposed to different stresses in a complex way depending on the thickness and quality of the snow cover. The IE treatment caused hypoxic stress and probably affected roots which resulted in reduced water uptake in the beginning of the growing season. Without protective snowpack in NoSNOW seedlings suffered from cold and drought stresses. The combination of hypoxic and cold stresses in COMP evoked unique transcriptional responses including oxidative stress. Snow cover manipulation induced changes in the expression of several circadian clock related genes suggested that photoreceptors and the circadian clock system play an essential role in the adaptation of Scots pine seedlings to stresses under different snow conditions. Our findings show that warming winter climate alters snow conditions and consequently causes Scots pine seedlings various abiotic stresses, whose effects extend from overwintering to the following growing season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaana Vuosku
- Natural Resources Unit, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Rovaniemi, Finland
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Françoise Martz
- Natural Resources Unit, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Ville Hallikainen
- Natural Resources Unit, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Pasi Rautio
- Natural Resources Unit, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Rovaniemi, Finland
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Rajpal VR, Rathore P, Mehta S, Wadhwa N, Yadav P, Berry E, Goel S, Bhat V, Raina SN. Epigenetic variation: A major player in facilitating plant fitness under changing environmental conditions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1020958. [PMID: 36340045 PMCID: PMC9628676 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1020958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent research in plant epigenetics has increased our understanding of how epigenetic variability can contribute to adaptive phenotypic plasticity in natural populations. Studies show that environmental changes induce epigenetic switches either independently or in complementation with the genetic variation. Although most of the induced epigenetic variability gets reset between generations and is short-lived, some variation becomes transgenerational and results in heritable phenotypic traits. The short-term epigenetic responses provide the first tier of transient plasticity required for local adaptations while transgenerational epigenetic changes contribute to stress memory and help the plants respond better to recurring or long-term stresses. These transgenerational epigenetic variations translate into an additional tier of diversity which results in stable epialleles. In recent years, studies have been conducted on epigenetic variation in natural populations related to various biological processes, ecological factors, communities, and habitats. With the advent of advanced NGS-based technologies, epigenetic studies targeting plants in diverse environments have increased manifold to enhance our understanding of epigenetic responses to environmental stimuli in facilitating plant fitness. Taking all points together in a frame, the present review is a compilation of present-day knowledge and understanding of the role of epigenetics and its fitness benefits in diverse ecological systems in natural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Rani Rajpal
- Department of Botany, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Vijay Rani Rajpal, , ; Shailendra Goel, ; Vishnu Bhat, ; Soom Nath Raina,
| | | | - Sahil Mehta
- School of Agricultural Sciences, K.R. Mangalam University, Gurugram, Haryana, India
| | - Nikita Wadhwa
- University School of Biotechnology, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Eapsa Berry
- Maharishi Kanad Bhawan, Delhi School of Climate Change and Sustainability, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Shailendra Goel
- Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Vijay Rani Rajpal, , ; Shailendra Goel, ; Vishnu Bhat, ; Soom Nath Raina,
| | - Vishnu Bhat
- Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Vijay Rani Rajpal, , ; Shailendra Goel, ; Vishnu Bhat, ; Soom Nath Raina,
| | - Soom Nath Raina
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
- *Correspondence: Vijay Rani Rajpal, , ; Shailendra Goel, ; Vishnu Bhat, ; Soom Nath Raina,
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9
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Effects of Medium Supplements on Somatic Embryo Maturation and DNA Methylation in Pseudotsuga gaussenii Flous, a Species under Protection. FORESTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/f13020288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pseudotsuga gaussenii is a forest species under protection in China. Propagation via somatic embryogenesis is efficient and needed for recovering this species. In this research, effects of medium supplements, i.e., methylglyoxal-bis (guanylhydrazone) (MGBG), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and maltose, on somatic embryo (SE) development were studied. More mature SEs developed with the pre-maturation treatment medium supplemented with 50 μM or 100 μM MGBG. During SE maturation, when the medium was supplemented with both PEG and maltose, the over-proliferation of embryogenic tissue was suppressed. When maltose was eliminated from the maturation medium, SEs were slightly smaller but developed better than other treatments due to the supply of lower carbon source, whereas when PEG was taken out from the maturation medium, no mature SE was obtained, only the heavily-proliferated plant tissue. Meanwhile, DNA methylation levels differed in these SE maturation cultures at the late culture stage of SE maturation. The level increased sharply with no maltose treatment (20.28%) while decreasing without PEG supplement (10.35%). DNA methyltransferase genes MET1-1, MET1-2, MET1-3, CMT3, DRM1, and DRM2 were partially cloned in this study to detect their expression level via qPCR. Expression of these genes, except MET1-3, in the culture of no PEG was higher significantly than the cultures of other treatments at weeks 1, 3, and 10. Our results suggested that MGBG and/or PEG play an important role in stimulating SE development and maturation. Furthermore, sugar supplements at a lower level benefited SE maturation in Pseudotsuga gaussenii.
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10
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Gao Y, Cui Y, Zhao R, Chen X, Zhang J, Zhao J, Kong L. Cryo-Treatment Enhances the Embryogenicity of Mature Somatic Embryos via the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA Network in White Spruce. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031111. [PMID: 35163033 PMCID: PMC8834816 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In conifers, somatic embryogenesis is uniquely initiated from immature embryos in a narrow time window, which is considerably hindered by the difficulty to induce embryogenic tissue (ET) from other tissues, including mature somatic embryos. In this study, the embryogenic ability of newly induced ET and DNA methylation levels was detected, and whole-transcriptome sequencing analyses were carried out. The results showed that ultra-low temperature treatment significantly enhanced ET induction from mature somatic embryos, with the induction rate from 0.4% to 15.5%, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The newly induced ET showed higher capability in generating mature embryos than the original ET. DNA methylation levels fluctuated during the ET induction process. Here, WGCNA analysis revealed that OPT4, TIP1-1, Chi I, GASA5, GST, LAX3, WRKY7, MYBS3, LRR-RLK, PBL7, and WIN1 genes are involved in stress response and auxin signal transduction. Through co-expression analysis, lncRNAs MSTRG.505746.1, MSTRG.1070680.1, and MSTRG.33602.1 might bind to pre-novel_miR_339 to promote the expression of WRKY7 genes for stress response; LAX3 could be protected by lncRNAs MSTRG.1070680.1 and MSTRG.33602.1 via serving as sponges for novel_miR_495 to initiate auxin signal transduction; lncRNAs MSTRG.505746.1, MSTRG.1070680.1, and MSTRG.33602.1 might serve as sponges for novel_miR_527 to enhance the expression of Chi I for early somatic embryo development. This study provides new insight into the area of stress-enhanced early somatic embryogenesis in conifers, which is also attributable to practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.G.); (Y.C.); (R.Z.); (X.C.); (J.Z.)
| | - Ying Cui
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.G.); (Y.C.); (R.Z.); (X.C.); (J.Z.)
| | - Ruirui Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.G.); (Y.C.); (R.Z.); (X.C.); (J.Z.)
| | - Xiaoyi Chen
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.G.); (Y.C.); (R.Z.); (X.C.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jinfeng Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.G.); (Y.C.); (R.Z.); (X.C.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jian Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.G.); (Y.C.); (R.Z.); (X.C.); (J.Z.)
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (L.K.)
| | - Lisheng Kong
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.G.); (Y.C.); (R.Z.); (X.C.); (J.Z.)
- Centre for Forest Biology, Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3N5, Canada
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (L.K.)
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11
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Can Forest Trees Cope with Climate Change?-Effects of DNA Methylation on Gene Expression and Adaptation to Environmental Change. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413524. [PMID: 34948318 PMCID: PMC8703565 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications, including chromatin modifications and DNA methylation, play key roles in regulating gene expression in both plants and animals. Transmission of epigenetic markers is important for some genes to maintain specific expression patterns and preserve the status quo of the cell. This article provides a review of existing research and the current state of knowledge about DNA methylation in trees in the context of global climate change, along with references to the potential of epigenome editing tools and the possibility of their use for forest tree research. Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, are involved in evolutionary processes, developmental processes, and environmental interactions. Thus, the implications of epigenetics are important for adaptation and phenotypic plasticity because they provide the potential for tree conservation in forest ecosystems exposed to adverse conditions resulting from global warming and regional climate fluctuations.
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12
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García-García I, Méndez-Cea B, Martín-Gálvez D, Seco JI, Gallego FJ, Linares JC. Challenges and Perspectives in the Epigenetics of Climate Change-Induced Forests Decline. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:797958. [PMID: 35058957 PMCID: PMC8764141 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.797958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Forest tree species are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. As sessile organisms with long generation times, their adaptation to a local changing environment may rely on epigenetic modifications when allele frequencies are not able to shift fast enough. However, the current lack of knowledge on this field is remarkable, due to many challenges that researchers face when studying this issue. Huge genome sizes, absence of reference genomes and annotation, and having to analyze huge amounts of data are among these difficulties, which limit the current ability to understand how climate change drives tree species epigenetic modifications. In spite of this challenging framework, some insights on the relationships among climate change-induced stress and epigenomics are coming. Advances in DNA sequencing technologies and an increasing number of studies dealing with this topic must boost our knowledge on tree adaptive capacity to changing environmental conditions. Here, we discuss challenges and perspectives in the epigenetics of climate change-induced forests decline, aiming to provide a general overview of the state of the art.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel García-García
- Departamento de Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología, UD Genética, Facultad de CC Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Isabel García-García,
| | - Belén Méndez-Cea
- Departamento de Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología, UD Genética, Facultad de CC Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Belén Méndez-Cea,
| | - David Martín-Gálvez
- Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, UD Zoología, Facultad de CC Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Ignacio Seco
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Gallego
- Departamento de Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología, UD Genética, Facultad de CC Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Linares
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
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13
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Castander-Olarieta A, Pereira C, Sales E, Meijón M, Arrillaga I, Cañal MJ, Goicoa T, Ugarte MD, Moncaleán P, Montalbán IA. Induction of Radiata Pine Somatic Embryogenesis at High Temperatures Provokes a Long-Term Decrease in DNA Methylation/Hydroxymethylation and Differential Expression of Stress-Related Genes. PLANTS 2020; 9:plants9121762. [PMID: 33322106 PMCID: PMC7762990 DOI: 10.3390/plants9121762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Based on the hypothesis that embryo development is a crucial stage for the formation of stable epigenetic marks that could modulate the behaviour of the resulting plants, in this study, radiata pine somatic embryogenesis was induced at high temperatures (23 °C, eight weeks, control; 40 °C, 4 h; 60 °C, 5 min) and the global methylation and hydroxymethylation levels of emerging embryonal masses and somatic plants were analysed using LC-ESI-MS/ MS-MRM. In this context, the expression pattern of six genes previously described as stress-mediators was studied throughout the embryogenic process until plant level to assess whether the observed epigenetic changes could have provoked a sustained alteration of the transcriptome. Results indicated that the highest temperatures led to hypomethylation of both embryonal masses and somatic plants. Moreover, we detected for the first time in a pine species the presence of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, and revealed its tissue specificity and potential involvement in heat-stress responses. Additionally, a heat shock protein-coding gene showed a down-regulation tendency along the process, with a special emphasis given to embryonal masses at first subculture and ex vitro somatic plants. Likewise, the transcripts of several proteins related with translation, oxidative stress response, and drought resilience were differentially expressed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cátia Pereira
- Department of Forestry Science, NEIKER, 01192 Arkaute, Spain; (A.C.-O.); (C.P.)
- Center for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ester Sales
- Departament of Ciencias Agrarias y del Medio Natural, Instituto Universitario de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad de Zaragoza, Escuela Politécnica Superior, 22071 Huesca, Spain;
| | - Mónica Meijón
- Plant Physiology, Department of Organisms and Systems Biology and University Institute of Biotechnology (IUBA), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (M.M.); (M.J.C.)
| | - Isabel Arrillaga
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto BiotecMed, Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain;
| | - María Jesús Cañal
- Plant Physiology, Department of Organisms and Systems Biology and University Institute of Biotechnology (IUBA), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (M.M.); (M.J.C.)
| | - Tomás Goicoa
- Department of Statistics, Computer Science and Mathematics, Universidad Pública de Navarra, 31006 Pamplona, Spain; (T.G.); (M.D.U.)
- INAMAT2 (Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics), Universidad Pública de Navarra, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
| | - María Dolores Ugarte
- Department of Statistics, Computer Science and Mathematics, Universidad Pública de Navarra, 31006 Pamplona, Spain; (T.G.); (M.D.U.)
- INAMAT2 (Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics), Universidad Pública de Navarra, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Paloma Moncaleán
- Department of Forestry Science, NEIKER, 01192 Arkaute, Spain; (A.C.-O.); (C.P.)
- Correspondence: (P.M.); (I.A.M.)
| | - Itziar A. Montalbán
- Department of Forestry Science, NEIKER, 01192 Arkaute, Spain; (A.C.-O.); (C.P.)
- Correspondence: (P.M.); (I.A.M.)
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14
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Dane M, Anderson NJ, Osburn CL, Colbourne JK, Frisch D. Centennial clonal stability of asexual Daphnia in Greenland lakes despite climate variability. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:14178-14188. [PMID: 33391708 PMCID: PMC7771157 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate and environmental condition drive biodiversity at many levels of biological organization, from populations to ecosystems. Combined with paleoecological reconstructions, palaeogenetic information on resident populations provides novel insights into evolutionary trajectories and genetic diversity driven by environmental variability. While temporal observations of changing genetic structure are often made of sexual populations, little is known about how environmental change affects the long-term fate of asexual lineages. Here, we provide information on obligately asexual, triploid Daphnia populations from three Arctic lakes in West Greenland through the past 200-300 years to test the impact of environmental change on the temporal and spatial population genetic structure. The contrasting ecological state of the lakes, specifically regarding salinity and habitat structure may explain the observed lake-specific clonal composition over time. Palaeolimnological reconstructions show considerable regional environmental fluctuations since 1,700 (the end of the Little Ice Age), but the population genetic structure in two lakes was almost unchanged with at most two clones per time period. Their local populations were strongly dominated by a single clone that has persisted for 250-300 years. We discuss possible explanations for the apparent population genetic stability: (a) persistent clones are general-purpose genotypes that thrive under broad environmental conditions, (b) clonal lineages evolved subtle genotypic differences unresolved by microsatellite markers, or (c) epigenetic modifications allow for clonal adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Our results motivate research into the mechanisms of adaptation in these populations, as well as their evolutionary fate in the light of accelerating climate change in the polar regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maison Dane
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | | | - Christopher L. Osburn
- Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
| | | | - Dagmar Frisch
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
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15
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Epigenetic Mechanisms of Plant Adaptation to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207457. [PMID: 33050358 PMCID: PMC7589735 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Unlike animals, plants are immobile and could not actively escape the effects of aggressive environmental factors, such as pathogenic microorganisms, insect pests, parasitic plants, extreme temperatures, drought, and many others. To counteract these unfavorable encounters, plants have evolved very high phenotypic plasticity. In a rapidly changing environment, adaptive phenotypic changes often occur in time frames that are too short for the natural selection of adaptive mutations. Probably, some kind of epigenetic variability underlines environmental adaptation in these cases. Indeed, isogenic plants often have quite variable phenotypes in different habitats. There are examples of successful “invasions” of relatively small and genetically homogenous plant populations into entirely new habitats. The unique capability of quick environmental adaptation appears to be due to a high tendency to transmit epigenetic changes between plant generations. Multiple studies show that epigenetic memory serves as a mechanism of plant adaptation to a rapidly changing environment and, in particular, to aggressive biotic and abiotic stresses. In wild nature, this mechanism underlies, to a very significant extent, plant capability to live in different habitats and endure drastic environmental changes. In agriculture, a deep understanding of this mechanism could serve to elaborate more effective and safe approaches to plant protection.
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16
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Zhang M, Li W, Feng J, Gong Z, Yao Y, Zheng C. Integrative transcriptomics and proteomics analysis constructs a new molecular model for ovule abortion in the female-sterile line of Pinus tabuliformis Carr. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 294:110462. [PMID: 32234230 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2020.110462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ovule development is critical to plant reproduction and free nuclear mitosis of megagametophyte (FNMM) is vital for ovule development. However, most results of ovule development were based on the studies in angiosperms, and its molecular regulation remained largely unknown in gymnosperms, particularly, during FNMM. In this context, we studied the genome-wide difference between sterile line (SL) and fertile line (FL) ovules using transcriptomics and proteomics approaches in Pinus tabuliformis Carr. Comparative analyses revealed that genes involved in DNA replication, DNA damage repair, Cell cycle, Apoptosis and Energy metabolism were highlighted. Further results showed the low expressions of MCM 2-7, RRM1, etc. perhaps led to abnormal DNA replication and damage repair, and the significantly different expressions of PARP2, CCs1, CCs3, etc. implied that the accumulated DNA double-stranded breaks were failed to be repaired and the cell cycle was arrested at G2/M in SL ovules, potentially resulting in the occurrence of apoptosis. Moreover, the deficiency of ETF-QO might hinder FNMM. Consequently, FNMM stopped and ovule aborted in SL ovules. Our results suggested a selective regulatory mechanism led to FNMM half-stop and ovule abortion in P. tabuliformis and these insights could be exploited to investigate the molecular regulations of ovule development in woody gymnosperms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, No. 35, Tsinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Wenhai Li
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, No. 35, Tsinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jun Feng
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, No. 35, Tsinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Zaixin Gong
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, No. 35, Tsinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yang Yao
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, No. 35, Tsinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Caixia Zheng
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, No. 35, Tsinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China.
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17
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Pyhäjärvi T, Kujala ST, Savolainen O. 275 years of forestry meets genomics in Pinus sylvestris. Evol Appl 2020; 13:11-30. [PMID: 31988655 PMCID: PMC6966708 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pinus sylvestris has a long history of basic and applied research that is relevant for both forestry and evolutionary studies. Its patterns of adaptive variation and role in forest economic and ecological systems have been studied extensively for nearly 275 years, detailed demography for a 100 years and mating system more than 50 years. However, its reference genome sequence is not yet available and genomic studies have been lagging compared to, for example, Pinus taeda and Picea abies, two other economically important conifers. Despite the lack of reference genome, many modern genomic methods are applicable for a more detailed look at its biological characteristics. For example, RNA-seq has revealed a complex transcriptional landscape and targeted DNA sequencing displays an excess of rare variants and geographically homogenously distributed molecular genetic diversity. Current DNA and RNA resources can be used as a reference for gene expression studies, SNP discovery, and further targeted sequencing. In the future, specific consequences of the large genome size, such as functional effects of regulatory open chromatin regions and transposable elements, should be investigated more carefully. For forest breeding and long-term management purposes, genomic data can help in assessing the genetic basis of inbreeding depression and the application of genomic tools for genomic prediction and relatedness estimates. Given the challenges of breeding (long generation time, no easy vegetative propagation) and the economic importance, application of genomic tools has a potential to have a considerable impact. Here, we explore how genomic characteristics of P. sylvestris, such as rare alleles and the low extent of linkage disequilibrium, impact the applicability and power of the tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Pyhäjärvi
- Department of Ecology and GeneticsUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Biocenter OuluUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
| | | | - Outi Savolainen
- Department of Ecology and GeneticsUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Biocenter OuluUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
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18
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Wogan GOU, Yuan ML, Mahler DL, Wang IJ. Genome-wide epigenetic isolation by environment in a widespread Anolis lizard. Mol Ecol 2019; 29:40-55. [PMID: 31710739 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic changes can provide a pathway for organisms to respond to local environmental conditions by influencing gene expression. However, we still know little about the spatial distribution of epigenetic variation in natural systems, how it relates to the distribution of genetic variation and the environmental structure of the landscape, and the processes that generate and maintain it. Studies examining spatial patterns of genetic and epigenetic variation can provide valuable insights into how ecological and population processes contribute to epigenetic divergence across heterogeneous landscapes. Here, we perform a comparative analysis of spatial genetic and epigenetic variation based on 8,459 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 8,580 single methylation variants (SMVs) from eight populations of the Puerto Rican crested anole, Anolis cristatellus, an abundant lizard in the adaptive radiations of anoles on the Greater Antilles that occupies a diverse range of habitats. Using generalized dissimilarity modelling and multiple matrix regression, we found that genome-wide epigenetic differentiation is strongly correlated with environmental divergence, even after controlling for the underlying genetic structure. We also detected significant associations between key environmental variables and 96 SMVs, including 42 located in promoter regions or gene bodies. Our results suggest an environmental basis for population-level epigenetic differentiation in this system and contribute to better understanding how environmental gradients structure epigenetic variation in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guinevere O U Wogan
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, College of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Michael L Yuan
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, College of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - D Luke Mahler
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ian J Wang
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, College of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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19
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Alakärppä E, Taulavuori E, Valledor L, Marttila T, Jokipii-Lukkari S, Karppinen K, Nguyen N, Taulavuori K, Häggman H. Early growth of Scots pine seedlings is affected by seed origin and light quality. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 237:120-128. [PMID: 31078909 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2019.03.012] [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: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Plants have evolved a suite of photoreceptors to perceive information from the surrounding light conditions. The aim of this study was to examine photomorphogenic effects of light quality on the growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings representing southern (60 °N) and northern (68 °N) origins in Finland. We measured the growth characteristics and the expression of light-responsive genes from seedlings grown under two LED light spectra: (1) Retarder (blue and red wavelengths in ratio 0.7) inducing compact growth, and (2) Booster (moderate in blue, green and far-red wavelengths, and high intensity of red light) promoting shoot elongation. The results show that root elongation, biomass, and branching were reduced under Retarder spectrum in the seedlings representing both origins, while inhibition in seed germination and shoot elongation was mainly detected in the seedlings of northern origin. The expression of ZTL and HY5 was related to Scots pine growth under both light spectra. Moreover, the expression of PHYN correlated with growth when exposed to Retarder, whereas CRY2 expression was associated with growth under Booster. Our data indicates that blue light and the deficiency of far-red light limit the growth of Scots pine seedlings and that northern populations are more sensitive to blue light than southern populations. Furthermore, the data analyses suggest that ZTL and HY5 broadly participate in the light-mediated growth regulation of Scots pine, whereas PHYN responses to direct sunlight and the role of CRY2 is in shade avoidance. Altogether, our study extends the knowledge of light quality and differential gene expression affecting the early growth of Scots pines representing different latitudinal origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmi Alakärppä
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Erja Taulavuori
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Luis Valledor
- Plant Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Oviedo, Cat. Rodrígo Uría s/n, E-33071, Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Toni Marttila
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Soile Jokipii-Lukkari
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Viikki Plant Science Centre, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 27, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Katja Karppinen
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Nga Nguyen
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Kari Taulavuori
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Hely Häggman
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland.
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20
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Salmela MJ, Weinig C. The fitness benefits of genetic variation in circadian clock regulation. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2019; 49:86-93. [PMID: 31302588 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Functional circadian clocks are essential for fitness in diverse ecosystems, facilitating detection of predictable light-dark and temperature cycles. The molecular basis of endogenous clocks is variable across the tree of life, but it has one omnipresent attribute: natural genetic diversity that manifests as variation for instance in circadian period length around the hypothesised optimum of 24 hours. Latitudinal variation in photoperiod alone is unlikely to account for the vast diversity documented in varied organisms, but we have yet to achieve a solid understanding of the interplay between clock variability and natural selection. Recent circadian studies sampling populations have drawn attention to the hierarchical structure of genetic diversity in the wild, unveiling pronounced genetic variation even on a scale of metres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matti J Salmela
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Cynthia Weinig
- Department of Botany, 3165, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071, USA; Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
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