Crop Epigenomics: Identifying, Unlocking, and Harnessing Cryptic Variation in Crop Genomes
Lexiang Ji1, Drexel A Neumann2, Robert J Schmitz2
1Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Molecular Plant
|February 2, 2015
Summary
DNA methylation in plant genomes is heritable and linked to gene expression. Genome-wide maps reveal silent epialleles that can be reactivated for crop phenotypic variation.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Epigenetics
- Plant Biology
Background:
- DNA methylation is a crucial, heritable chromatin modification in plant genomes.
- It influences gene expression and morphological variation.
- High-quality genome assemblies and methylation profiling methods are now available for many crops.
Purpose of the Study:
- To understand the role of DNA methylation in plant development and evolution.
- To investigate environmental influences on DNA methylation heritability.
- To identify silent epialleles for targeted reactivation and phenotypic variation.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide DNA methylome profiling at single-base resolution.
- Analysis of heritable DNA methylation patterns across generations.
- Comparative genomics to study methylation in crop evolution.
Main Results:
- Identification of numerous silent epialleles across plant genomes.
- Evidence for dynamic and heritable DNA methylation changes in response to environmental cues.
- Correlation between DNA methylation states and phenotypic variation.
Conclusions:
- Genome-wide DNA methylation maps are powerful tools for crop improvement.
- Targeting silent epialleles offers a route to generate desirable phenotypic variation.
- Further research into environmental epigenetics is crucial for understanding crop adaptation.
Keywords:
DNA methylationcomparative genomicscropsepigenomicswhole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS)More Related Videos
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