In eukaryotic cells, genomic DNA is not naked but packed into a well-organized nucleoprotein complex known as chromatin. Cells use a variety of epigenetic mechanisms to change the chromatin structure to precisely control the gene expression in response to developmental cues or specific environmental signals. DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications (acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitylation), histone variants, chromatin remodelers, and non-coding RNAs are the epigenetic modifications that regulate gene expression in plants.
Growing evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications are involved in various aspects of plant growth and development, including flowering time, root growth, floral organogenesis, gametophyte or embryo formation, seed maturation, and germination. Together with functional analysis and omics studies, we aim to better understand how DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, histone variants, chromatin remodelers, and non-coding RNAs are involved in various aspects of plant growth and development. With this, the field will gain insights into how epigenetic modifications are involved in plant growth and development, not only for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of plant responses to developmental or environmental cues but also for possible applications in the genetic manipulation of plants.
The aim of this Research Topic is to explore the recent advances in molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of plant development; therefore, authors are invited to submit all types of articles (original research, methods, opinions, perspectives, and reviews) related to epigenetic regulation of plant growth and development. We encourage contributions related to research in the model plant Arabidopsis and other crop plants. Topics to be covered may include, but are not limited to:
-Role of DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, histone variants, chromatin remodelers and non-coding RNAs in plant growth and development
-Functions of epigenetic modifications and their cross-talks for the regulation of gene expression
-Coordination of epigenetic modifiers/modifications and transcription factors
-Genomic identification of epigenetic enzymes in plants
-Detecting methods for epigenetic modifications, including prediction of epigenetic modifications by machine and deep learning
Keywords: Epigenetic regulation, Plant growth and development, DNA methylation, Histone modifications, small RNA, Chromatin remodeling, histone variants
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.
