Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy.
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy.
Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Jul 27;23(15):8299. doi: 10.3390/ijms23158299.
DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification of the genome involved in the regulation of gene expression and modulation of chromatin structure. Plant genomes are widely methylated, and the methylation generally occurs on the cytosine bases through the activity of specific enzymes called DNA methyltransferases. On the other hand, methylated DNA can also undergo demethylation through the action of demethylases. The methylation landscape is finely tuned and assumes a pivotal role in plant development and evolution. This review illustrates different molecular aspects of DNA methylation and some plant physiological processes influenced by this epigenetic modification in model species, crops, and ornamental plants such as orchids. In addition, this review aims to describe the relationship between the changes in plant DNA methylation levels and the response to biotic and abiotic stress. Finally, we discuss the possible evolutionary implications and biotechnological applications of DNA methylation.
DNA 甲基化是一种基因组的表观遗传修饰，参与基因表达的调控和染色质结构的调节。植物基因组广泛甲基化，甲基化通常通过称为 DNA 甲基转移酶的特定酶的活性发生在胞嘧啶碱基上。另一方面，甲基化的 DNA 也可以通过去甲基酶的作用进行去甲基化。甲基化景观被精细地调节，并在植物发育和进化中起着关键作用。本综述说明了 DNA 甲基化的不同分子方面，以及在模式物种、作物和观赏植物（如兰花）中受这种表观遗传修饰影响的一些植物生理过程。此外，本综述旨在描述植物 DNA 甲基化水平的变化与对生物和非生物胁迫的反应之间的关系。最后，我们讨论了 DNA 甲基化的可能进化意义和生物技术应用。
