Li Ting, Li Wen-Jing, Xu Jian-Hong
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Hainan Institute, Zhejiang University, Hainan Seed Industry Laboratory, Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, Sanya 572025, China.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Aug 30;26(17):8454. doi: 10.3390/ijms26178454.
As a crucial aspect of epigenetic research, DNA methylation is fundamental to genomic stability, gene transcription regulation, and chromatin remodeling. Rice is a staple food source for roughly half of the world's population. Therefore, optimizing rice yield and stress tolerance is vital for global food security. With the continuous advancement of DNA methylation detection technologies, studies have shown that DNA methylation regulates various rice growth and development processes, including root differentiation and grain development, through the dynamic equilibrium of de novo methylation, maintenance methylation, and demethylation. Furthermore, DNA methylation is crucial in the plant's response to environmental stressors like high or low temperature, drought and salinity. The patterns of DNA methylation modifications are also closely linked to rice domestication and heterosis formation. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation of the DNA methylation regulatory network holds significant theoretical value for rice genetic improvement and molecular breeding. This review offers a systematic analysis of the molecular mechanisms and detection technologies of DNA methylation, as well as its regulatory roles in rice growth and development, stress responses, and other biological processes, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for rice genetic improvement research.
作为表观遗传学研究的一个关键方面，DNA甲基化对于基因组稳定性、基因转录调控和染色质重塑至关重要。水稻是世界上约一半人口的主食来源。因此，优化水稻产量和抗逆性对全球粮食安全至关重要。随着DNA甲基化检测技术的不断进步，研究表明DNA甲基化通过从头甲基化、维持甲基化和去甲基化的动态平衡来调节水稻的各种生长发育过程，包括根系分化和籽粒发育。此外，DNA甲基化在植物对高温或低温、干旱和盐度等环境胁迫的响应中也起着关键作用。DNA甲基化修饰模式还与水稻驯化和杂种优势形成密切相关。因此，全面研究DNA甲基化调控网络对水稻遗传改良和分子育种具有重要的理论价值。本综述对DNA甲基化的分子机制、检测技术及其在水稻生长发育、胁迫响应和其他生物学过程中的调控作用进行了系统分析，旨在为水稻遗传改良研究提供理论基础。
