1
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Sato H, Yamane H. Histone modifications affecting plant dormancy and dormancy release: common regulatory effects on hormone metabolism. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:6142-6158. [PMID: 38721634 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erae205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 10/17/2024]
Abstract
As sessile organisms, plants enter periods of dormancy in response to environmental stresses to ensure continued growth and reproduction in the future. During dormancy, plant growth is suppressed, adaptive/survival mechanisms are exerted, and stress tolerance increases over a prolonged period until the plants resume their development or reproduction under favorable conditions. In this review, we focus on seed dormancy and bud dormancy, which are critical for adaptation to fluctuating environmental conditions. We provide an overview of the physiological characteristics of both types of dormancy as well as the importance of the phytohormones abscisic acid and gibberellin for establishing and releasing dormancy, respectively. Additionally, recent epigenetic analyses have revealed that dormancy establishment and release are associated with the removal and deposition of histone modifications at the loci of key regulatory genes influencing phytohormone metabolism and signaling, including DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 and DORMANCY-ASSOCIATED MADS-box genes. We discuss our current understanding of the physiological and molecular mechanisms required to establish and release seed dormancy and bud dormancy, while also describing how environmental conditions control dormancy depth, with a focus on the effects of histone modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikaru Sato
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8562, Japan
| | - Hisayo Yamane
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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2
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Khouider S, Gehring M. Parental dialectic: Epigenetic conversations in endosperm. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 81:102591. [PMID: 38944896 PMCID: PMC11392645 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2024.102591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Endosperm is a major evolutionary innovation of flowering plants, and its proper development critically impacts seed growth and viability. Epigenetic regulators have a key function in parental control of endosperm development. Notably, epigenetic regulation of parental genome dosage is a major determinant of seed development success, and disruption of this balance can produce inviable seed, as observed in some interploidy and interspecific crosses. These postzygotic reproduction barriers are also a potent driver of speciation. The molecular machinery and regulatory architecture governing endosperm development is proposed to have evolved under parental conflict. In this review, we emphasize parental conflict as a dialectic conflict and discuss recent findings about the epigenetic molecular machinery that mediates parental conflict in the endosperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souraya Khouider
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge MA 02142, USA
| | - Mary Gehring
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge MA 02139, USA.
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3
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Marquez-Molins J, Cheng J, Corell-Sierra J, Juarez-Gonzalez VT, Villalba-Bermell P, Annacondia ML, Gomez G, Martinez G. Hop stunt viroid infection induces heterochromatin reorganization. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 243:2351-2367. [PMID: 39030826 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Viroids are pathogenic noncoding RNAs that completely rely on their host molecular machinery to accomplish their life cycle. Several interactions between viroids and their host molecular machinery have been identified, including interference with epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation. Despite this, whether viroids influence changes in other epigenetic marks such as histone modifications remained unknown. Epigenetic regulation is particularly important during pathogenesis processes because it might be a key regulator of the dynamism of the defense response. Here we have analyzed the changes taking place in Cucumis sativus (cucumber) facultative and constitutive heterochromatin during hop stunt viroid (HSVd) infection using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of the two main heterochromatic marks: H3K9me2 and H3K27me3. We find that HSVd infection is associated with changes in both H3K27me3 and H3K9me2, with a tendency to decrease the levels of repressive epigenetic marks through infection progression. These epigenetic changes are connected to the transcriptional regulation of their expected targets, genes, and transposable elements. Indeed, several genes related to the defense response are targets of both epigenetic marks. Our results highlight another host regulatory mechanism affected by viroid infection, providing further information about the complexity of the multiple layers of interactions between pathogens/viroids and hosts/plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Marquez-Molins
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, 75007, Sweden
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), University of Valencia (UV), Paterna, 46980, Spain
| | - Jinping Cheng
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, 75007, Sweden
| | - Julia Corell-Sierra
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), University of Valencia (UV), Paterna, 46980, Spain
| | - Vasti Thamara Juarez-Gonzalez
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, 75007, Sweden
| | - Pascual Villalba-Bermell
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), University of Valencia (UV), Paterna, 46980, Spain
| | - Maria Luz Annacondia
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, 75007, Sweden
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, 1871, Denmark
| | - Gustavo Gomez
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), University of Valencia (UV), Paterna, 46980, Spain
| | - German Martinez
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, 75007, Sweden
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4
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Zhang H, Zhu JK. Epigenetic gene regulation in plants and its potential applications in crop improvement. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024:10.1038/s41580-024-00769-1. [PMID: 39192154 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00769-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
DNA methylation, also known as 5-methylcytosine, is an epigenetic modification that has crucial functions in plant growth, development and adaptation. The cellular DNA methylation level is tightly regulated by the combined action of DNA methyltransferases and demethylases. Protein complexes involved in the targeting and interpretation of DNA methylation have been identified, revealing intriguing roles of methyl-DNA binding proteins and molecular chaperones. Structural studies and in vitro reconstituted enzymatic systems have provided mechanistic insights into RNA-directed DNA methylation, the main pathway catalysing de novo methylation in plants. A better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms will enable locus-specific manipulation of the DNA methylation status. CRISPR-dCas9-based epigenome editing tools are being developed for this goal. Given that DNA methylation patterns can be stably transmitted through meiosis, and that large phenotypic variations can be contributed by epimutations, epigenome editing holds great promise in crop breeding by creating additional phenotypic variability on the same genetic material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Science, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jian-Kang Zhu
- Institute of Advanced Biotechnology and School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
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5
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Del Toro-De León G, van Boven J, Santos-González J, Jiao WB, Peng H, Schneeberger K, Köhler C. Epigenetic and transcriptional consequences in the endosperm of chemically induced transposon mobilization in Arabidopsis. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:8833-8848. [PMID: 38967011 PMCID: PMC11347142 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae572] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting, an epigenetic phenomenon leading to parent-of-origin-specific gene expression, has independently evolved in the endosperm of flowering plants and the placenta of mammals-tissues crucial for nurturing embryos. While transposable elements (TEs) frequently colocalize with imprinted genes and are implicated in imprinting establishment, direct investigations of the impact of de novo TE transposition on genomic imprinting remain scarce. In this study, we explored the effects of chemically induced transposition of the Copia element ONSEN on genomic imprinting in Arabidopsis thaliana. Through the combination of chemical TE mobilization and doubled haploid induction, we generated a line with 40 new ONSEN copies. Our findings reveal a preferential targeting of maternally expressed genes (MEGs) for transposition, aligning with the colocalization of H2A.Z and H3K27me3 in MEGs-both previously identified as promoters of ONSEN insertions. Additionally, we demonstrate that chemically-induced DNA hypomethylation induces global transcriptional deregulation in the endosperm, leading to the breakdown of MEG imprinting. This study provides insights into the consequences of chemically induced TE remobilization in the endosperm, revealing that chemically-induced epigenome changes can have long-term consequences on imprinted gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Del Toro-De León
- Department of Plant Reproductive Biology and Epigenetics, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Joram van Boven
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
| | - Juan Santos-González
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
| | - Wen-Biao Jiao
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Haoran Peng
- Department of Plant Reproductive Biology and Epigenetics, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Korbinian Schneeberger
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne 50829, Germany
- Faculty for Biology, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Claudia Köhler
- Department of Plant Reproductive Biology and Epigenetics, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam 14476, Germany
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
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6
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Bente H, Köhler C. Molecular basis and evolutionary drivers of endosperm-based hybridization barriers. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 195:155-169. [PMID: 38298124 PMCID: PMC11060687 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
The endosperm, a transient seed tissue, plays a pivotal role in supporting embryo growth and germination. This unique feature sets flowering plants apart from gymnosperms, marking an evolutionary innovation in the world of seed-bearing plants. Nevertheless, the importance of the endosperm extends beyond its role in providing nutrients to the developing embryo by acting as a versatile protector, preventing hybridization events between distinct species and between individuals with different ploidy. This phenomenon centers on growth and differentiation of the endosperm and the speed at which both processes unfold. Emerging studies underscore the important role played by type I MADS-box transcription factors, including the paternally expressed gene PHERES1. These factors, along with downstream signaling pathways involving auxin and abscisic acid, are instrumental in regulating endosperm development and, consequently, the establishment of hybridization barriers. Moreover, mutations in various epigenetic regulators mitigate these barriers, unveiling a complex interplay of pathways involved in their formation. In this review, we discuss the molecular underpinnings of endosperm-based hybridization barriers and their evolutionary drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinrich Bente
- Department of Plant Reproductive Biology and Epigenetics, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Claudia Köhler
- Department of Plant Reproductive Biology and Epigenetics, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam 14476, Germany
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
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7
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Soliman HK, Coughlan JM. United by Conflict: Convergent Signatures of Parental Conflict in Angiosperms and Placental Mammals. J Hered 2024:esae009. [PMID: 38366852 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esae009] [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: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Endosperm in angiosperms and placenta in eutherians are convergent innovations for efficient embryonic nutrient transfer. Despite advantages, this reproductive strategy incurs metabolic costs that maternal parents disproportionately shoulder, leading to potential inter-parental conflict over optimal offspring investment. Genomic imprinting-parent-of-origin-biased gene expression-is fundamental for endosperm and placenta development and has convergently evolved in angiosperms and mammals, in part, to resolve parental conflict. Here, we review the mechanisms of genomic imprinting in these taxa. Despite differences in the timing and spatial extent of imprinting, these taxa exhibit remarkable convergence in the molecular machinery and genes governing imprinting. We then assess the role of parental conflict in shaping evolution within angiosperms and eutherians using four criteria: (1) Do differences in the extent of sibling relatedness cause differences in the inferred strength of parental conflict? (2) Do reciprocal crosses between taxa with different inferred histories of parental conflict exhibit parent-of-origin growth effects? (3) Are these parent-of-origin growth effects caused by dosage-sensitive mechanisms and do these loci exhibit signals of positive selection? (4) Can normal development be restored by genomic perturbations that restore stoichiometric balance in the endosperm/placenta? Although we find evidence for all criteria in angiosperms and eutherians, suggesting that parental conflict may help shape their evolution, many questions remain. Additionally, myriad differences between the two taxa suggest that their respective biologies may shape how/when/where/to what extent parental conflict manifests. Lastly, we discuss outstanding questions, highlighting the power of comparative work in quantifying the role of parental conflict in evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagar K Soliman
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, United States
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt
| | - Jenn M Coughlan
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, United States
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8
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Montgomery SA, Berger F. Paternal imprinting in Marchantia polymorpha. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 241:1000-1006. [PMID: 37936346 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
We are becoming aware of a growing number of organisms that do not express genetic information equally from both parents as a result of an epigenetic phenomenon called genomic imprinting. Recently, it was shown that the entire paternal genome is repressed during the diploid phase of the life cycle of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. The deposition of the repressive epigenetic mark H3K27me3 on the male pronucleus is responsible for the imprinted state, which is reset by the end of meiosis. Here, we put these recent reports in perspective of other forms of imprinting and discuss the potential mechanisms of imprinting in bryophytes and the causes of its evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean A Montgomery
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), C/ del Dr Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Frédéric Berger
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Dr Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
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9
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Rojek J, Ohad N. The phenomenon of autonomous endosperm in sexual and apomictic plants. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:4324-4348. [PMID: 37155961 PMCID: PMC10433939 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Endosperm is a key nutritive tissue that supports the developing embryo or seedling, and serves as a major nutritional source for human and livestock feed. In sexually-reproducing flowering plants, it generally develops after fertilization. However, autonomous endosperm (AE) formation (i.e. independent of fertilization) is also possible. Recent findings of AE loci/ genes and aberrant imprinting in native apomicts, together with a successful initiation of parthenogenesis in rice and lettuce, have enhanced our understanding of the mechanisms bridging sexual and apomictic seed formation. However, the mechanisms driving AE development are not well understood. This review presents novel aspects related to AE development in sexual and asexual plants underlying stress conditions as the primary trigger for AE. Both application of hormones to unfertilized ovules and mutations that impair epigenetic regulation lead to AE development in sexual Arabidopsis thaliana, which may point to a common pathway for both phenomena. Apomictic-like AE development under experimental conditions can take place due to auxin-dependent gene expression and/or DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Rojek
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Nir Ohad
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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10
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Chen X, MacGregor DR, Stefanato FL, Zhang N, Barros-Galvão T, Penfield S. A VEL3 histone deacetylase complex establishes a maternal epigenetic state controlling progeny seed dormancy. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2220. [PMID: 37072400 PMCID: PMC10113200 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37805-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Mother plants play an important role in the control of dormancy and dispersal characters of their progeny. In Arabidopsis seed dormancy is imposed by the embryo-surrounding tissues of the endosperm and seed coat. Here we show that VERNALIZATION5/VIN3-LIKE 3 (VEL3) maintains maternal control over progeny seed dormancy by establishing an epigenetic state in the central cell that primes the depth of primary seed dormancy later established during seed maturation. VEL3 colocalises with MSI1 in the nucleolus and associates with a histone deacetylase complex. Furthermore, VEL3 preferentially associates with pericentromeric chromatin and is required for deacetylation and H3K27me3 deposition established in the central cell. The epigenetic state established by maternal VEL3 is retained in mature seeds, and controls seed dormancy in part through repression of programmed cell death-associated gene ORE1. Our data demonstrates a mechanism by which maternal control of progeny seed physiology persists post-shedding, maintaining parental control of seed behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochao Chen
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Dana R MacGregor
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Francesca L Stefanato
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Naichao Zhang
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
- Henan University, Jinming Road, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Thiago Barros-Galvão
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Steven Penfield
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK.
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11
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Sato H, Köhler C. Genomic imprinting regulates establishment and release of seed dormancy. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 69:102264. [PMID: 35872392 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2022.102264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Seed dormancy enables plant seeds to time germination until environmental conditions become favorable for seedling survival. This trait has high adaptive value and is of great agricultural relevance. The endosperm is a reproductive tissue formed after fertilization that in addition to support embryo growth has major roles in establishing seed dormancy. Many genes adopt parent-of-origin specific expression patterns in the endosperm, a phenomenon that has been termed genomic imprinting. Imprinted genes are targeted by epigenetic mechanisms acting before and after fertilization. Recent studies revealed that imprinted genes are involved in establishing seed dormancy, highlighting a new mechanism of parental control over this adaptive trait. Here, we review the regulatory mechanisms establishing genomic imprinting and their effect on seed dormancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikaru Sato
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Claudia Köhler
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Plant Reproductive Biology and Epigenetics, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
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12
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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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13
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Iwasaki M, Penfield S, Lopez-Molina L. Parental and Environmental Control of Seed Dormancy in Arabidopsis thaliana. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 73:355-378. [PMID: 35138879 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-102820-090750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Seed dormancy-the absence of seed germination under favorable germination conditions-is a plant trait that evolved to enhance seedling survival by avoiding germination under unsuitable environmental conditions. In Arabidopsis, dormancy levels are influenced by the seed coat composition, while the endosperm is essential to repress seed germination of dormant seeds upon their imbibition. Recent research has shown that the mother plant modulates its progeny seed dormancy in response to seasonal temperature changes by changing specific aspects of seed coat and endosperm development. This process involves genomic imprinting by means of epigenetic marks deposited in the seed progeny and regulators previously known to regulate flowering time. This review discusses and summarizes these discoveries and provides an update on our present understanding of the role of DOG1 and abscisic acid, two key contributors to dormancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Iwasaki
- Department of Botany and Plant Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland;
| | - Steven Penfield
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Luis Lopez-Molina
- Department of Botany and Plant Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland;
- Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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14
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Xu Q, Wu L, Luo Z, Zhang M, Lai J, Li L, Springer NM, Li Q. DNA demethylation affects imprinted gene expression in maize endosperm. Genome Biol 2022; 23:77. [PMID: 35264226 PMCID: PMC8905802 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02641-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background DNA demethylation occurs in many species and is involved in diverse biological processes. However, the occurrence and role of DNA demethylation in maize remain unknown. Results We analyze loss-of-function mutants of two major genes encoding DNA demethylases. No significant change in DNA methylation has been detected in these mutants. However, we detect increased DNA methylation levels in the mutants around genes and some transposons. The increase in DNA methylation is accompanied by alteration in gene expression, with a tendency to show downregulation, especially for the genes that are preferentially expressed in endosperm. Imprinted expression of both maternally and paternally expressed genes changes in F1 hybrid with the mutant as female and the wild-type as male parental line, but not in the reciprocal hybrid. This alteration in gene expression is accompanied by allele-specific DNA methylation differences, suggesting that removal of DNA methylation of the maternal allele is required for the proper expression of these imprinted genes. Finally, we demonstrate that hypermethylation in the double mutant is associated with reduced binding of transcription factor to its target, and altered gene expression. Conclusions Our results suggest that active removal of DNA methylation is important for transcription factor binding and proper gene expression in maize endosperm.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13059-022-02641-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Leiming Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhixiang Luo
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Mei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanxincun 20, Fragrant Hill, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Jinsheng Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry and National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Lin Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Nathan M Springer
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Qing Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China. .,Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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15
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Lu D, Zhai J, Xi M. Regulation of DNA Methylation During Plant Endosperm Development. Front Genet 2022; 13:760690. [PMID: 35222527 PMCID: PMC8867698 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.760690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The endosperm is a vital storage tissue in plant seeds. It provides nutrients to the embryos or the seedlings during seed development and germination. Although the genetic information in the endosperm cannot be passed directly to the next generation, its inherited epigenetic marks affect gene expression and its development and, consequently, embryo and seed growth. DNA methylation is a major form of epigenetic modification that can be investigated to understand the epigenome changes during reproductive development. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the effects of endosperm DNA methylation on crop yield and traits. In this review, we discuss the changes in DNA methylation and the resulting imprinted gene expression levels during plant endosperm development, as well as their effects on seed development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Lu
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jixian Zhai
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Jixian Zhai, ; Mengli Xi,
| | - Mengli Xi
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Jixian Zhai, ; Mengli Xi,
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16
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Vijayanathan M, Trejo-Arellano MG, Mozgová I. Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 in Eukaryotes-An Evolutionary Perspective. EPIGENOMES 2022; 6:3. [PMID: 35076495 PMCID: PMC8788455 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes6010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) represents a group of evolutionarily conserved multi-subunit complexes that repress gene transcription by introducing trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3). PRC2 activity is of key importance for cell identity specification and developmental phase transitions in animals and plants. The composition, biochemistry, and developmental function of PRC2 in animal and flowering plant model species are relatively well described. Recent evidence demonstrates the presence of PRC2 complexes in various eukaryotic supergroups, suggesting conservation of the complex and its function. Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding of PRC2-mediated repression in different representatives of eukaryotic supergroups with a focus on the green lineage. By comparison of PRC2 in different eukaryotes, we highlight the possible common and diverged features suggesting evolutionary implications and outline emerging questions and directions for future research of polycomb repression and its evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallika Vijayanathan
- Biology Centre, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.V.); (M.G.T.-A.)
| | - María Guadalupe Trejo-Arellano
- Biology Centre, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.V.); (M.G.T.-A.)
| | - Iva Mozgová
- Biology Centre, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.V.); (M.G.T.-A.)
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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17
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Montgomery SA, Berger F. The evolution of imprinting in plants: beyond the seed. PLANT REPRODUCTION 2021; 34:373-383. [PMID: 33914165 PMCID: PMC8566399 DOI: 10.1007/s00497-021-00410-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Genomic imprinting results in the biased expression of alleles depending on if the allele was inherited from the mother or the father. Despite the prevalence of sexual reproduction across eukaryotes, imprinting is only found in placental mammals, flowering plants, and some insects, suggesting independent evolutionary origins. Numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain the selective pressures that favour the innovation of imprinted gene expression and each differs in their experimental support and predictions. Due to the lack of investigation of imprinting in land plants, other than angiosperms with triploid endosperm, we do not know whether imprinting occurs in species lacking endosperm and with embryos developing on maternal plants. Here, we discuss the potential for uncovering additional examples of imprinting in land plants and how these observations may provide additional support for one or more existing imprinting hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean A Montgomery
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Frédéric Berger
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria.
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18
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Vigneau J, Borg M. The epigenetic origin of life history transitions in plants and algae. PLANT REPRODUCTION 2021; 34:267-285. [PMID: 34236522 PMCID: PMC8566409 DOI: 10.1007/s00497-021-00422-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Plants and algae have a complex life history that transitions between distinct life forms called the sporophyte and the gametophyte. This phenomenon-called the alternation of generations-has fascinated botanists and phycologists for over 170 years. Despite the mesmerizing array of life histories described in plants and algae, we are only now beginning to learn about the molecular mechanisms controlling them and how they evolved. Epigenetic silencing plays an essential role in regulating gene expression during multicellular development in eukaryotes, raising questions about its impact on the life history strategy of plants and algae. Here, we trace the origin and function of epigenetic mechanisms across the plant kingdom, from unicellular green algae through to angiosperms, and attempt to reconstruct the evolutionary steps that influenced life history transitions during plant evolution. Central to this evolutionary scenario is the adaption of epigenetic silencing from a mechanism of genome defense to the repression and control of alternating generations. We extend our discussion beyond the green lineage and highlight the peculiar case of the brown algae. Unlike their unicellular diatom relatives, brown algae lack epigenetic silencing pathways common to animals and plants yet display complex life histories, hinting at the emergence of novel life history controls during stramenopile evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérômine Vigneau
- Department of Algal Development and Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael Borg
- Department of Algal Development and Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany.
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19
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Sato H, Santos-González J, Köhler C. Combinations of maternal-specific repressive epigenetic marks in the endosperm control seed dormancy. eLife 2021; 10:e64593. [PMID: 34427186 PMCID: PMC8456740 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2)-mediated trimethylation of histone H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27me3) and methylation of histone 3 on lysine 9 (H3K9me) are two repressive epigenetic modifications that are typically localized in distinct regions of the genome. For reasons unknown, however, they co-occur in some organisms and special tissue types. In this study, we show that maternal alleles marked by H3K27me3 in the Arabidopsis endosperm were targeted by the H3K27me3 demethylase REF6 and became activated during germination. In contrast, maternal alleles marked by H3K27me3, H3K9me2, and CHG methylation (CHGm) are likely to be protected from REF6 targeting and remained silenced. Our study unveils that combinations of different repressive epigenetic modifications time a key adaptive trait by modulating access of REF6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikaru Sato
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Centre for Plant BiologyUppsalaSweden
| | - Juan Santos-González
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Centre for Plant BiologyUppsalaSweden
| | - Claudia Köhler
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Centre for Plant BiologyUppsalaSweden
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam-GolmGermany
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20
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Raas MWD, Zijlmans DW, Vermeulen M, Marks H. There is another: H3K27me3-mediated genomic imprinting. Trends Genet 2021; 38:82-96. [PMID: 34304914 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2021.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation has long been considered the primary epigenetic mediator of genomic imprinting in mammals. Recent epigenetic profiling during early mouse development revealed the presence of domains of trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3) and chromatin compaction specifically at the maternally derived allele, independent of DNA methylation. Within these domains, genes are exclusively expressed from the paternally derived allele. This novel mechanism of noncanonical imprinting plays a key role in the development of mouse extraembryonic tissues and in the regulation of imprinted X-chromosome inactivation, highlighting the importance of parentally inherited epigenetic histone modifications. Here, we discuss the mechanisms underlying H3K27me3-mediated noncanonical imprinting in perspective of the dynamic chromatin landscape during early mouse development and explore evolutionary origins of noncanonical imprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian W D Raas
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Dick W Zijlmans
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Oncode Institute, Radboud University, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel Vermeulen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Oncode Institute, Radboud University, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hendrik Marks
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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21
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Rodrigues JA, Hsieh PH, Ruan D, Nishimura T, Sharma MK, Sharma R, Ye X, Nguyen ND, Nijjar S, Ronald PC, Fischer RL, Zilberman D. Divergence among rice cultivars reveals roles for transposition and epimutation in ongoing evolution of genomic imprinting. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2104445118. [PMID: 34272287 PMCID: PMC8307775 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2104445118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Parent-of-origin-dependent gene expression in mammals and flowering plants results from differing chromatin imprints (genomic imprinting) between maternally and paternally inherited alleles. Imprinted gene expression in the endosperm of seeds is associated with localized hypomethylation of maternally but not paternally inherited DNA, with certain small RNAs also displaying parent-of-origin-specific expression. To understand the evolution of imprinting mechanisms in Oryza sativa (rice), we analyzed imprinting divergence among four cultivars that span both japonica and indica subspecies: Nipponbare, Kitaake, 93-11, and IR64. Most imprinted genes are imprinted across cultivars and enriched for functions in chromatin and transcriptional regulation, development, and signaling. However, 4 to 11% of imprinted genes display divergent imprinting. Analyses of DNA methylation and small RNAs revealed that endosperm-specific 24-nt small RNA-producing loci show weak RNA-directed DNA methylation, frequently overlap genes, and are imprinted four times more often than genes. However, imprinting divergence most often correlated with local DNA methylation epimutations (9 of 17 assessable loci), which were largely stable within subspecies. Small insertion/deletion events and transposable element insertions accompanied 4 of the 9 locally epimutated loci and associated with imprinting divergence at another 4 of the remaining 8 loci. Correlating epigenetic and genetic variation occurred at key regulatory regions-the promoter and transcription start site of maternally biased genes, and the promoter and gene body of paternally biased genes. Our results reinforce models for the role of maternal-specific DNA hypomethylation in imprinting of both maternally and paternally biased genes, and highlight the role of transposition and epimutation in rice imprinting evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Rodrigues
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Ping-Hung Hsieh
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Deling Ruan
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Toshiro Nishimura
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Manoj K Sharma
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Rita Sharma
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - XinYi Ye
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Nicholas D Nguyen
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Sukhranjan Nijjar
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Pamela C Ronald
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
- The Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Robert L Fischer
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720;
| | - Daniel Zilberman
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720;
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, The John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
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22
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Yadav VK, Santos-González J, Köhler C. INT-Hi-C reveals distinct chromatin architecture in endosperm and leaf tissues of Arabidopsis. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:4371-4385. [PMID: 33744975 PMCID: PMC8096224 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Higher-order chromatin structure undergoes striking changes in response to various developmental and environmental signals, causing distinct cell types to adopt specific chromatin organization. High throughput chromatin conformation capture (Hi-C) allows studying higher-order chromatin structure; however, this technique requires substantial amounts of starting material, which has limited the establishment of cell type-specific higher-order chromatin structure in plants. To overcome this limitation, we established a protocol that is applicable to a limited amount of nuclei by combining the INTACT (isolation of nuclei tagged in specific cell types) method and Hi-C (INT-Hi-C). Using this INT-Hi-C protocol, we generated Hi-C data from INTACT purified endosperm and leaf nuclei. Our INT-Hi-C data from leaf accurately reiterated chromatin interaction patterns derived from conventional leaf Hi-C data. We found that the higher-order chromatin organization of mixed leaf tissues and endosperm differs and that DNA methylation and repressive histone marks positively correlate with the chromatin compaction level. We furthermore found that self-looped interacting genes have increased expression in leaves and endosperm and that interacting intergenic regions negatively impact on gene expression in the endosperm. Last, we identified several imprinted genes involved in long-range and trans interactions exclusively in endosperm. Our study provides evidence that the endosperm adopts a distinct higher-order chromatin structure that differs from other cell types in plants and that chromatin interactions influence transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikash Kumar Yadav
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
| | - Juan Santos-González
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
| | - Claudia Köhler
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
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23
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Shirai K, Sato MP, Nishi R, Seki M, Suzuki Y, Hanada K. Positive selective sweeps of epigenetic mutations regulating specialized metabolites in plants. Genome Res 2021; 31:1060-1068. [PMID: 34006571 PMCID: PMC8168577 DOI: 10.1101/gr.271726.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an important factor regulating gene expression in organisms. However, whether DNA methylation plays a key role in adaptive evolution is unknown. Here, we show evidence of naturally selected DNA methylation in Arabidopsis thaliana. In comparison with single nucleotide polymorphisms, three types of methylation—methylated CGs (mCGs), mCHGs, and mCHHs—contributed highly to variable gene expression levels among an A. thaliana population. Such variably expressed genes largely affect a large variation of specialized metabolic quantities. Among the three types of methylations, only mCGs located in promoter regions of genes associated with specialized metabolites show a selective sweep signature in the A. thaliana population. Thus, naturally selected mCGs appear to be key mutations that cause the expressional diversity associated with specialized metabolites during plant evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumasa Shirai
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiko P Sato
- Kawatabi Field Science Center, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Miyagi 989-6711, Japan
| | - Ranko Nishi
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Masahide Seki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8562, Japan
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8562, Japan
| | - Kousuke Hanada
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan
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24
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Long Y, Liu Z, Jia J, Mo W, Fang L, Lu D, Liu B, Zhang H, Chen W, Zhai J. FlsnRNA-seq: protoplasting-free full-length single-nucleus RNA profiling in plants. Genome Biol 2021; 22:66. [PMID: 33608047 PMCID: PMC7893963 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02288-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The broad application of single-cell RNA profiling in plants has been hindered by the prerequisite of protoplasting that requires digesting the cell walls from different types of plant tissues. Here, we present a protoplasting-free approach, flsnRNA-seq, for large-scale full-length RNA profiling at a single-nucleus level in plants using isolated nuclei. Combined with 10x Genomics and Nanopore long-read sequencing, we validate the robustness of this approach in Arabidopsis root cells and the developing endosperm. Sequencing results demonstrate that it allows for uncovering alternative splicing and polyadenylation-related RNA isoform information at the single-cell level, which facilitates characterizing cell identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Long
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zhijian Liu
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jinbu Jia
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Weipeng Mo
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Liang Fang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Dongdong Lu
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jixian Zhai
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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25
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Small RNA Function in Plants: From Chromatin to the Next Generation. COLD SPRING HARBOR SYMPOSIA ON QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGY 2020; 84:133-140. [PMID: 32518093 DOI: 10.1101/sqb.2019.84.040394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Small RNA molecules can target a particular virus, gene, or transposable element (TE) with a high degree of specificity. Their ability to move from cell to cell and recognize targets in trans also allows building networks capable of regulating a large number of related targets at once. In the case of epigenetic silencing, small RNA may use the widespread distribution of TEs in eukaryotic genomes to coordinate many loci across developmental and generational time. Here, we discuss the intriguing role of plant small RNA in targeting transposons and repeats in pollen and seeds. Epigenetic reprogramming in the germline and early seed development provides a mechanism to control genome dosage, imprinted gene expression, and incompatible hybridizations via the "triploid block."
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26
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Chen Z, Zhang Y. Maternal H3K27me3-dependent autosomal and X chromosome imprinting. Nat Rev Genet 2020; 21:555-571. [PMID: 32514155 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-020-0245-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Genomic imprinting and X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) are classic epigenetic phenomena that involve transcriptional silencing of one parental allele. Germline-derived differential DNA methylation is the best-studied epigenetic mark that initiates imprinting, but evidence indicates that other mechanisms exist. Recent studies have revealed that maternal trimethylation of H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27me3) mediates autosomal maternal allele-specific gene silencing and has an important role in imprinted XCI through repression of maternal Xist. Furthermore, loss of H3K27me3-mediated imprinting contributes to the developmental defects observed in cloned embryos. This novel maternal H3K27me3-mediated non-canonical imprinting mechanism further emphasizes the important role of parental chromatin in development and could provide the basis for improving the efficiency of embryo cloning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Chen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. .,Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. .,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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27
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Borg M, Jacob Y, Susaki D, LeBlanc C, Buendía D, Axelsson E, Kawashima T, Voigt P, Boavida L, Becker J, Higashiyama T, Martienssen R, Berger F. Targeted reprogramming of H3K27me3 resets epigenetic memory in plant paternal chromatin. Nat Cell Biol 2020; 22:621-629. [PMID: 32393884 PMCID: PMC7116658 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-020-0515-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic marks are reprogrammed in the gametes to reset genomic potential in the next generation. In mammals, paternal chromatin is extensively reprogrammed through the global erasure of DNA methylation and the exchange of histones with protamines1,2. Precisely how the paternal epigenome is reprogrammed in flowering plants has remained unclear since DNA is not demethylated and histones are retained in sperm3,4. Here, we describe a multi-layered mechanism by which H3K27me3 is globally lost from histone-based sperm chromatin in Arabidopsis. This mechanism involves the silencing of H3K27me3 writers, activity of H3K27me3 erasers and deposition of a sperm-specific histone, H3.10 (ref. 5), which we show is immune to lysine 27 methylation. The loss of H3K27me3 facilitates the transcription of genes essential for spermatogenesis and pre-configures sperm with a chromatin state that forecasts gene expression in the next generation. Thus, plants have evolved a specific mechanism to simultaneously differentiate male gametes and reprogram the paternal epigenome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Borg
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yannick Jacob
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute-Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Watson School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Daichi Susaki
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Chantal LeBlanc
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Daniel Buendía
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elin Axelsson
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tomokazu Kawashima
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Philipp Voigt
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Leonor Boavida
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Jörg Becker
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Tetsuya Higashiyama
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Robert Martienssen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute-Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Watson School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frédéric Berger
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria.
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28
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Xu L, Jiang H. Writing and Reading Histone H3 Lysine 9 Methylation in Arabidopsis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:452. [PMID: 32435252 PMCID: PMC7218100 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, histone H3 lysine 9 methylation (H3K9me) mediates the silencing of invasive and repetitive sequences by preventing the expression of aberrant gene products and the activation of transposition. In Arabidopsis, while it is well known that dimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me2) is maintained through a feedback loop between H3K9me2 and DNA methylation, the details of the H3K9me2-dependent silencing pathway have not been fully elucidated. Recently, the regulation and the function of H3K9 methylation have been extensively characterized. In this review, we summarize work from the recent studies regarding the regulation of H3K9me2, emphasizing the process of deposition and reading and the biological significance of H3K9me2 in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hua Jiang
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben, Germany
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29
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Abstract
In this review, Batista and Köhler revisit the current models explaining imprinting regulation in plants, and discuss novel regulatory mechanisms that could function independently of parental DNA methylation asymmetries in the establishment of imprinting. Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic phenomenon leading to parentally biased gene expression. Throughout the years, extensive efforts have been made to characterize the epigenetic marks underlying imprinting in animals and plants. As a result, DNA methylation asymmetries between parental genomes emerged as the primary factor controlling the imprinting status of many genes. Nevertheless, the data accumulated so far suggest that this process cannot solely explain the imprinting of all genes. In this review, we revisit the current models explaining imprinting regulation in plants, and discuss novel regulatory mechanisms that could function independently of parental DNA methylation asymmetries in the establishment of imprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita A Batista
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Uppsala SE-750 07, Sweden
| | - Claudia Köhler
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Uppsala SE-750 07, Sweden
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30
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Batista RA, Moreno-Romero J, Qiu Y, van Boven J, Santos-González J, Figueiredo DD, Köhler C. The MADS-box transcription factor PHERES1 controls imprinting in the endosperm by binding to domesticated transposons. eLife 2019; 8:50541. [PMID: 31789592 PMCID: PMC6914339 DOI: 10.7554/elife.50541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
MADS-box transcription factors (TFs) are ubiquitous in eukaryotic organisms and play major roles during plant development. Nevertheless, their function in seed development remains largely unknown. Here, we show that the imprinted Arabidopsis thaliana MADS-box TF PHERES1 (PHE1) is a master regulator of paternally expressed imprinted genes, as well as of non-imprinted key regulators of endosperm development. PHE1 binding sites show distinct epigenetic modifications on maternal and paternal alleles, correlating with parental-specific transcriptional activity. Importantly, we show that the CArG-box-like DNA-binding motifs that are bound by PHE1 have been distributed by RC/Helitron transposable elements. Our data provide an example of the molecular domestication of these elements which, by distributing PHE1 binding sites throughout the genome, have facilitated the recruitment of crucial endosperm regulators into a single transcriptional network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita A Batista
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jordi Moreno-Romero
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yichun Qiu
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Joram van Boven
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Juan Santos-González
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Duarte D Figueiredo
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Claudia Köhler
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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31
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Moreno-Romero J, Del Toro-De León G, Yadav VK, Santos-González J, Köhler C. Correction to: Epigenetic signatures associated with imprinted paternally expressed genes in the Arabidopsis endosperm. Genome Biol 2019; 20:182. [PMID: 31477159 PMCID: PMC6717997 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-019-1803-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Moreno-Romero
- Present Address: Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gerardo Del Toro-De León
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vikash Kumar Yadav
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Juan Santos-González
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Claudia Köhler
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden.
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32
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Del Toro-De León G, Köhler C. Endosperm-specific transcriptome analysis by applying the INTACT system. PLANT REPRODUCTION 2019; 32:55-61. [PMID: 30588542 DOI: 10.1007/s00497-018-00356-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE We report the adaptation of the INTACT method for RNA-sequencing in the endosperm and demonstrate its feasibility for allele-specific expression analysis. Tissue-specific transcriptome analyses provide important insights into the developmental programs of defined cell types. The isolation of nuclei tagged in specific cell types (INTACT) is a versatile method that allows to isolate highly pure nuclei from defined tissue types that can be used for several downstream applications. Here, we describe the adaptation of INTACT from endosperm nuclei for high-throughput RNA-sequencing. By analyzing the ratio of parental reads and tissue-specific gene expression in the endosperm, we could assess the contamination level of our samples. Based on this analysis, we estimate that in most of the samples the contamination level is lower than in previously published datasets. We further show that the nuclear transcriptome and total transcriptome of the endosperm are well correlated. Together, our data show that INTACT of the endosperm is a reliable methodology for endosperm-specific transcriptome analysis that overcomes the limitation of time-consuming manual endosperm dissection that is connected with high levels of maternal tissue contamination. INTACT does not rely on expensive equipment and can be set up in every standard molecular biology laboratory, making it the method of choice for future molecular studies of the endosperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Del Toro-De León
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Claudia Köhler
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden.
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