Chromatin resetting mechanisms preventing trangenerational inheritance of epigenetic states

Epigenetic regulation can be altered by environmental cues including abiotic and biotic stresses. In most cases, environmentally-induced epigenetic changes are transient, but in some cases they are maintained for extensive periods of time and may even be transmitted to the next generation. However,...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Mayumi eIwasaki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2015-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
Subjects:
FLC
Online Access:http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpls.2015.00380/full
Description
Summary:Epigenetic regulation can be altered by environmental cues including abiotic and biotic stresses. In most cases, environmentally-induced epigenetic changes are transient, but in some cases they are maintained for extensive periods of time and may even be transmitted to the next generation. However, the underlying mechanisms of transgenerational transmission of environmentally-induced epigenetic states remain largely unknown. Such traits can be adaptive, but also can have negative consequences if the parentally inherited epigenetic memory interferes with canonical environmental responses of the progeny. This review highlights recent insights into the mechanisms preventing transgenerational transmission of environmentally-induced epigenetic states in plants, which resemble those of germline reprogramming in mammals.
ISSN:1664-462X