Epigenetic regulation of floral transition: pathways and players

The epigenetic mechanisms that regulate the DNA-histone contacts and the chromatin-based control of transcription provide an essential link between various signaling pathways in plants. The developmental process controlling the transition from vegetative to reproductive meristem and flowering time in plants represents a crucial and complex interlinked module and is governed by various environmental cues and signaling cascades. Research in Arabidopsis has elucidated the core components of principal flowering pathways that converge to activate floral meristem identity genes, thereby integrating environmental and developmental cues to promote flowering. Under the scenario of a changing climate, the epigenetic mechanism seems to emerge as a pivotal regulatory module in controlling gene expression and developmental responses in plants, including flowering. Based on these, the current review mainly highlights the interplay between epigenetic modifiers and key players of flowering pathways, showcasing the co-expression analysis of genes related to specific as well as overlapping epigenetic regulation in the flowering transition pathway of Arabidopsis. Here, we addressed how the intricate interplay and the relationships among the various epigenetic mechanisms, such as chromatin remodeling, histone modifications, microRNAs, and long non-coding RNAs, control the expression of genes involved in major flowering pathways to regulate flowering. The fundamental concepts offer a contemporary perspective on the crosstalk between epigenetic regulation and flowering in the context of plant growth, development, and crop yield.