IMR Press / FBL / Volume 29 / Issue 3 / DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2903126
Open Access Review
Epigenetic Modifications in Genome Help Remembering the Stress Tolerance Strategy Adopted by the Plant
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1 Division of Biochemistry, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, 110012 New Delhi, India
2 Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority, 110012 New Delhi, India
Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed) 2024, 29(3), 126; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbl2903126
Submitted: 18 November 2023 | Revised: 15 January 2024 | Accepted: 26 January 2024 | Published: 22 March 2024
Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Genetic information in eukaryotic organisms is stored, replicated, transcribed, and inherited through the nucleus of a cell. Epigenetic modifications in the genetic material, including DNA methylation, histone modification, changes in non-coding RNA (ncRNA) biogenesis, and chromatin architecture play important roles in determining the genomic landscape and regulating gene expression. Genome architecture (structural features of chromatin, affected by epigenetic modifications) is a major driver of genomic functions/activities. Segregation of euchromatin (transcriptionally active) from heterochromatin (transcriptionally repressed chromosome) and positioning of genes in specific nuclear space in eukaryotic cells emphasise non-randomness in the organization of the genetic information. Not only does the base sequence of a gene carry the genetic information but the covalent modifications of bases, three-dimensional positioning of the genome, and chromatin loops are vital for switching on/off the gene and regulating its expression during growth/environmental stress. The epigenetic dynamics depend on the activities of writers and erasers under changing environmental conditions. The discovery of non-coding RNAs (one of the players in de novo methylation of DNA), increased DNA methylation protein (guide for the DNA demethylase), and methylation monitoring sequence (that helps keep a balance between DNA demethylation and methylation) have been some of the new developments in the era of epigenomics. To respond to environmental stimuli, plants depend on modulating gene expression through different mechanisms including biochemical, molecular, genetic, and epigenetic alterations. Studies on plants might provide better insights into epigenetic stress memory and molecular bases of adaptability to enable (epi)genome editing of crops for climate resilience and sustainable agriculture in the present era of multifaceted climate change.

Keywords
epigenetic modification
5-methylcytosine
histone modification
genome architecture
abiotic stress
epigenetic memory
Funding
NASF/ABP-70161/2018-19/National Agricultural Science Fund
18(3)/2018-O&P/Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Government of India
NASF/EMR/(OG)/06/2021/Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Government of India
Figures
Fig. 1.
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