Vernalization control in the Brassicaceae: a multidimensional translational landscape

Abstract

The Brassicaceae family represents an extraordinary case of both evolutionary diversification and agricultural success. Through centuries of classical selective breeding, this family has yielded a vast array of crop species—ranging from oilseeds to leafy vegetables—that exhibit remarkable adaptation to diverse climates and a wide range of morphological traits. Central to this success is the combination of diverse genome structures and an ingenious evolutionary acquisition, the process of vernalization. This review explores the current state of vernalization research across three critical dimensions of translational science. First, we examine the genomic translation from the model annual Arabidopsis thaliana to Brassica vegetable crops, which has provided the foundational molecular framework for the vernalization response. Second, we discuss epigenetic translation, shifting the focus from fixed genetic variation to the heritable but flexible chromatin states that govern transcriptional memory. By targeting the recruitment mechanisms —such as DNA elements and noncoding RNAs—of chromatin-modifying complexes, researchers can achieve precise, locus-specific control over crop performance using existing technologies. Third, we address environmental translation, moving from the highly controlled laboratory conditions to the fluctuating complexities of natural field environments, where plants must integrate noisy thermal signals to ensure timely reproduction. After outlining the core molecular and epigenetic mechanisms of the vernalization "double-negative" switch, we summarize and evaluate how specific biotechnological and omics-based approaches have advanced our understanding of three key species: Brassica rapa, Brassica oleracea, and Raphanus sativus.