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Published on: September 7, 2017
siRNAs and DNA methylation: seedy epigenetics.
Rebecca A Mosher1, Charles W Melnyk
1University of Cambridge Department of Plant Sciences, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK. rm536@cam.ac.uk <rm536@cam.ac.uk>
Trends in Plant Science
|February 5, 2010
Summary
Epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation and small RNAs in Arabidopsis seeds may involve transposable elements. These elements might sacrifice genomic integrity for epigenetic inheritance, impacting plant progeny.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Epigenetics
- Genomics
Background:
- Understanding DNA sequence to phenotype requires knowledge of epigenetic regulation of gene expression.
- Recent research highlights complex interactions between DNA methylation, small RNAs, transposable element silencing, and genomic imprinting in Arabidopsis seeds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of transposable elements in epigenetic regulation within the Arabidopsis seed.
- To explore how these elements might contribute to epigenetic inheritance.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of DNA methylation patterns.
- Small RNA sequencing.
- Studies on transposable element activity and silencing mechanisms.
- Investigation of genomic imprinting in Arabidopsis.
Main Results:
- Transposable elements reactivated in specific gametophyte and seed cells.
- These reactivated elements may enhance transposable element silencing in the germline and embryo.
- Evidence suggests a potential epigenetic contribution to progeny rather than a genetic one.
Conclusions:
- Specific cells in the Arabidopsis seed may play a role in epigenetic inheritance by managing transposable elements.
- This mechanism could have implications for interspecies hybridization, the evolution of genomic imprinting, and plant epigenetic communication to progeny.
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