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08:10
Environmentally Induced Heritable Changes in Flax
Published on: January 26, 2011
Epigenetic variation creates potential for evolution of plant phenotypic plasticity
Yuan-Ye Zhang1, Markus Fischer1, Vincent Colot2
1Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, CH-3013, Bern, Switzerland.
The New Phytologist
|November 6, 2012
Summary
Epigenetic variation, specifically DNA methylation changes, can drive heritable plant trait differences and influence evolution. This study shows epigenetic factors significantly impact ecologically important traits like drought tolerance and nutrient plasticity in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Evolutionary biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Heritable phenotypic variation is key to plant evolution.
- While DNA sequence variation is a known driver, epigenetic variation's role is less understood.
- Epigenetic variation, particularly DNA methylation, offers a potential source of heritable traits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the scope and evolutionary significance of epigenetic variation in plant phenotypes.
- To test the impact of DNA methylation variation on ecologically relevant traits under environmental stress.
Main Methods:
- Utilized epigenetic recombinant inbred lines (epiRILs) of Arabidopsis thaliana.
- Conducted a glasshouse experiment exposing epiRILs to drought and increased nutrient conditions.
- Assessed heritable variation in plant traits and their plasticities to environmental factors.
Main Results:
- Significant heritable variation was observed in plant traits and their plasticities among epiRILs.
- Selection gradients indicated that selection can act on epigenetically based phenotypic variation.
- DNA methylation variation was linked to substantial heritable differences in root allocation, drought tolerance, and nutrient plasticity.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic variation, driven by DNA methylation, can be a substantial source of heritable phenotypic variation in plants.
- This epigenetic variation can influence ecologically important traits, suggesting a role in rapid evolution.
- Evolutionary change may occur through epigenetic mechanisms alone, independent of DNA sequence alterations.
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