Epigenetic reprogramming in plant sexual reproduction
Tomokazu Kawashima1, Frédéric Berger1
1Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, 117604 Singapore; and Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, 117543 Singapore. Present address: Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology GmbH, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
Epigenetic reprogramming consists of global changes in DNA methylation and histone modifications. In mammals, epigenetic reprogramming is primarily associated with sexual reproduction and occurs during both gametogenesis and early embryonic development. Such reprogramming is crucial not only to maintain genomic integrity through silencing transposable elements but also to reset the silenced status of imprinted genes. In plants, observations of stable transgenerational inheritance of epialleles have argued against reprogramming. However, emerging evidence supports that epigenetic reprogramming indeed occurs during sexual reproduction in plants and that it has a major role in maintaining genome integrity and a potential contribution to epiallelic variation.
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