Transcriptome and epigenome analyses of vernalization in Arabidopsis thaliana
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ABSTRACT: In this work, we present the first comprehensive analyses of transcriptomic and epigenomic dynamics during the vernalization process in Arabidopsis thaliana. Six major clusters of genes exhibiting distinctive features were identified. Temporary changes in histone H3K4me3 levels were observed that likely coordinate photosynthesis and prevent oxidative damage during cold. In addition, vernalization induced a stable accumulation of H3K27me3 over genes encoding many development-related transcription factors, resulting in either inhibition of transcription or a bivalent status of the genes. Lastly, FLC-like and VIN3-like genes were identified that appear to be novel components of the vernalization pathway.
Project description:The experiment was performed to test the hypothesis that the chromosomal interaction pattern of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) Arabidopsis thaliana gene (At5g10140) changes its epigenetic state throughout vernalization.
Project description:We conducted genome-wide transcriptome analysis using the inbred Chinese cabbage line, ‘4004’, which displayed early flowering in response to vernalization. A total of 1,677 differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with and without vernalization. Transcriptome analysis identified 223 homologs of Arabidopsis Ft genes in Chinese cabbage, and 50 of these genes responded to vernalization. RT-qPCR analysis of major Ft genes showed that the majority of flowering enhancers were up-regulated in response to vernalization, whereas most flowering repressors were down-regulated in response to vernalization. Among the major Ft genes, the expression of BrCOL1-2, BrFT1/2, BrSOC1/2/3, BrFLC1/2/3/5, and BrMAF was strongly affected by vernalization.
Project description:Falster is a Danish perennial ryegrass ecotype with strong vernalization requirement, while Veyo is an Italian variety with no requirement for vernalization in order to flower. The transcriptome of these two perennial ryegrass genotypes with contrasting vernalization requirements was studied during primary (vernalization and short day conditions), and secondary induction (higher temperature and long day conditions) using an RNA-Seq approach, in order to reveal transcripts with expression profiles indicative of a role in floral induction, both in the promotion and repression of flowering.
Project description:Vernalization, the requirement of long-term exposure to low environmental temperature for flowering, is a typical epigenetic phenomenon in plants. Histone modifications have been analyzed for key vernalization genes, but genome-wide regulation remains unclear. Here, we performed global analysis of histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3) and 27 (H3K27me3) trimethylation with Chromatin Immunoprecipitation-Sequencing (ChIP-Seq) during and after vernalization to obtain complete view of histone modification fluctuation both on whole genome scale and for single genes, even different regions of genes. The critical role of H3K27me3 was revealed. During vernalization H3K27me3 regulation concentrated on a few biological processes, with two essential environmental responses, transcription regulation and anti-stress reactions, being main targets, as indicated by change pattern and GO analysis. The regulation of H3K4me3, however, showed no obvious focus. For gene expression, H3K27me3 is involved in multiple trends of control. H3K4me3, however, mainly focuses on unidirectional regulation. After vernalization most of H3K27me3 changes were kept, but relatively small proportion of H3K4me3 changes could be maintained, as shown by multiple-level analysis, suggesting the active role of H3K27me3 in epigenetic memory. Vernalization-induced histone modification changes were uncovered for VRN3, a gene integrating vernalization/photoperiod signals, suggesting its regulation role at epigenetic level. Memory-related genes were genome-widely identified and a high proportion of them showed quantitative response to vernalization-treatment, suggesting broad existence of this mechanism. Our studies shed new light on epigenetic role of H3K27me3 and VRN3 in vernalization, revealed mechanism underlying epigenetic memory, which helps us to further understand vernalization, a mechanism with great potential in agriculture.
Project description:Protein post-translational modification (PTM) increases the functional diversity of the proteome and regulates numerous biological processes in eukaryotes. Two types of PTMs, O-linked-acetyl glucosamine modification (O-GlcNAc) and phosphorylation have been identified on the same amino acid, are considered as Yin-Yang modification for their antagonistic function recently. Vernalization, a prolonged cold exposure promoted flowering, is important for grain yield in temperate cereals, such as winter wheat. O-GlcNAcylation on TaGRP2 and phosphorylation on VER2 are involved in regulation of vernalization response (VRN) genes. However, less is known about how plant senses vernalization with general Yin-Yang modifications. Here we report that altering O-GlcNAc signaling by chemical inhibitors could change the vernalization response and affect flowering transition. Furthermore, we enriched O-GlcNAcylated and phosphorylated peptides from winter wheat plumules at different processing time points during vernalization by Lectin weak affinity chromatography (LWAC) and iTRAQ-TiO2, respectively. In total, about 200 O-GlcNAcylated proteins and 124 differential expressed phosphorylated proteins were identified by Mass Spectrum (MS). Based on GO enrichment, the identified O-GlcNAcylated proteins are mainly involved in response to abiotic stimulus and hormone, metabolic processing and gene expression. While dynamic phosphorylated proteins during vernalization participate in translation, transcription and metabolic processing. Of note, 31 proteins with both phosphorylation and O-GlcNAcylation modification were identified. Among them, TaGRP2 was further confirmed to participate in regulation of vernalization promoted flowering. The global modification profiles and genetic data at specific regulator suggested that the dynamic network of O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation on the key nodes regulate vernalization response and mediate flowering in wheat.
Project description:Epigenetic modification plays a key role in the vernalization process and maintains gene expression states after low temperature. In this study, the Chinese main cultivar Aikang58 was used to construct the chromatin accessibility maps, expression profile and histone modification (including H3K27me3, H3K27ac, H3K36me3 and H3K4me3) maps of winter wheat before and after vernalization. We provided a crucial data resource for deep understanding of epigenome in vernalization. What’s more, important core regulatory elements and corresponding transcription factors were discovered, and the complex regulatory network of wheat vernalization was analyzed. ATAC-seq of leaf, axillary bud and shoot apex before and after vernalization
Project description:Epigenetic modification plays a key role in the vernalization process and maintains gene expression states after low temperature. In this study, the Chinese main cultivar Aikang58 was used to construct the chromatin accessibility maps, expression profile and histone modification (including H3K27me3, H3K27ac, H3K36me3 and H3K4me3) maps of winter wheat before and after vernalization. We provided a crucial data resource for deep understanding of epigenome in vernalization. What’s more, important core regulatory elements and corresponding transcription factors were discovered, and the complex regulatory network of wheat vernalization was analyzed.
Project description:Epigenetic modification plays a key role in the vernalization process and maintains gene expression states after low temperature. In this study, the Chinese main cultivar Aikang58 was used to construct the chromatin accessibility maps, expression profile and histone modification (including H3K27me3, H3K27ac, H3K36me3 and H3K4me3) maps of winter wheat before and after vernalization. We provided a crucial data resource for deep understanding of epigenome in vernalization. What’s more, important core regulatory elements and corresponding transcription factors were discovered, and the complex regulatory network of wheat vernalization was analyzed.