About this Research Topic
Epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and histone variants, and some non- coding RNA (ncRNA) changes, influence chromatin structure and, in turn, the accessibility of genetic information as well as the stability of the whole genome. As a result, epigenetic modifications are important to many biological processes, and disruption of epigenetic configuration can lead to developmental abnormalities in plants and mammals, such as failure in tomato fruit ripening and embryo lethality in mice. In addition to coordinating with developmental processes, epigenetic regulation can also play an important role in organisms’ responses and adaptation to environmental changes. Thus, epigenetic processes are tightly regulated in coordination with other cellular processes.
The interplay between epigenetic regulation and other cellular processes is bidirectional. On one hand, cellular processes such as hormone-dependent signaling can be mediated by epigenetic modifications at the transcriptional level; on the other hand, certain cellular processes are inherently required for epigenetic modifications, especially DNA methylation and histone post-transcriptional modifications, which are enzymatic processes that involve not only the chromatin but also donor molecules for the modifications. For instance, disruptions in the folate biosynthesis pathway impair the supply of methyl groups for DNA methylation and for histone methylation, resulting in transcriptional desilencing at certain genomic loci in Arabidopsis thaliana due to lowered levels of DNA methylation and histone H3K9 dimethylation. The interplay between epigenetic regulation and diverse cellular processes has become increasingly valued over the past few years. Meanwhile, the need for a thorough understanding of the epigenetics-connected cellular network urges more discoveries and new insights in this important research area.
This Research Topic is an effort to improve our understanding of the interplay between epigenetic regulation and other cellular processes. We welcome Original Research reports that reveal new connections between epigenetic regulation and other cellular processes, including but not limited to:
(1) Metabolism, including primary metabolism and secondary metabolism;
(2) Hormone-mediated signaling;
(3) Immunity;
(4) Retrograde signaling;
(5) Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mediated stress signaling
This Research Topic also welcomes submissions in the forms of Methods, Opinions, or Reviews.
Keywords: Epigenetic, DNA methylation, histone modification, signalling, metabolism
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
