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Updated: Jan 22, 2026
07:08
Detection of Histone Modifications in Plant Leaves
Published on: September 23, 2011
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Linking cellular metabolism to chromatin modifications in plants
Jaewoong Hwang1, Pil Joon Seo1,2
1Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea.
Journal of Integrative Plant Biology
|January 21, 2026
Summary
Metabolites influence gene expression by altering the epigenome. Cellular metabolism dynamically drives epigenomic reprogramming, adjusting gene activity based on environmental changes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Metabolites traditionally serve as building blocks and energy sources.
- Metabolites also directly impact gene expression and the epigenetic landscape.
- Core metabolites like acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of metabolites in epigenetic regulation.
- To understand how metabolic states influence gene expression.
- To propose metabolites as dynamic drivers of epigenomic reprogramming.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on metabolite-gene expression links.
- Analysis of how metabolites interact with chromatin-modifying enzymes.
- Investigation of metabolite regulation on genes encoding epigenetic modifiers.
Main Results:
- Metabolites like acetyl-CoA and SAM act as substrates/cofactors for chromatin modifiers.
- Metabolites modulate transcription via chemical modification of histones and DNA.
- Metabolites regulate the expression and activity of chromatin-modifying proteins.
Conclusions:
- Cellular metabolic state actively drives epigenomic reprogramming.
- Metabolic state adjusts gene expression in response to environmental fluctuations.
- Metabolites are key regulators of the dynamic interplay between metabolism and epigenetics.
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