Grafting Alters DNA Methylation of Key Genes in Cotton

Jenn Hoskins
14th June, 2024

Grafting Alters DNA Methylation of Key Genes in Cotton

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from Akdeniz University studied how grafting affects DNA methylation of snoRNA genes in Upland cotton
  • Grafting led to significant differences in DNA methylation levels between heterograft and homograft cotton samples
  • Changes in snoRNA gene methylation were linked to improved seedling vigor and seed weight, suggesting potential benefits for crop productivity
Grafting is a horticultural technique where tissues from one plant are inserted into those of another so that the two sets of vascular tissues may join together. This method has been extensively studied for its effects on plant growth and resistance to various biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) stressors. However, the impact of grafting on the methylation status of small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) genes in cotton has remained unexplored until now. Researchers from Akdeniz University have investigated this phenomenon to understand how grafting affects DNA methylation of snoRNA genes in Upland cotton[1]. DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic mechanism that involves the addition of a methyl group to DNA, typically affecting gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. This process is vital for regulating growth, development, and stress responses in plants[2]. SnoRNAs are small non-coding RNAs known to guide chemical modifications of other RNAs, such as ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and have recently been implicated in various regulatory functions, including mRNA splicing and translational efficiency[3]. In this study, the researchers used two different cotton species as rootstocks: Pima 3–79 (Gossypium barbadense) and Texas Marker-1 (G. hirsutum). These species were selected due to their distinct fiber properties, adaptations, and morphologies. The team examined the methylation status of 10,935 snoRNA genes in mature seeds from both heterograft (different species grafted together) and homograft (same species grafted together) cotton samples using whole genome bisulfite sequencing. This method allows for the precise detection of methylation changes across the genome. The results revealed statistically significant differences in differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs) among snoRNA gene elements between heterograft and homograft samples. Interestingly, the majority of snoRNA genes showed higher numbers of mCG + mCHG-DMCs (types of methylated cytosines) with increased methylation levels in heterograft samples, while homograft samples exhibited higher numbers of mCG + mCHG-DMCs with decreased methylation levels. These alterations in DNA methylation occurred without any changes in the DNA sequence itself. These findings are significant because snoRNAs regulate essential genes involved in plant growth and development, as well as adaptation to different habitats or extreme environments[3]. The study also found that changes in snoRNA gene methylation were associated with seedling vigor and seed weight, suggesting that these epigenetic modifications could influence important agronomic traits. Previous research has shown that epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, play a crucial role in plant adaptability and phenotypic variation[4]. For instance, grafting-induced DNA methylation changes have been observed to be both heritable and reversible, affecting traits such as leaf shape and flowering time[5]. This new study expands on these findings by demonstrating that grafting can also alter the methylation status of snoRNA genes, further highlighting the complex interplay between epigenetics and plant physiology. In summary, this study from Akdeniz University provides new insights into how grafting affects the methylation status of snoRNA genes in cotton. By identifying significant differences in DNA methylation between heterograft and homograft samples, the researchers have uncovered a potential mechanism through which grafting can influence important agronomic traits like seedling vigor and seed weight. This research not only enhances our understanding of plant epigenetics but also offers valuable information for improving crop productivity and stress resistance through grafting techniques.

GeneticsBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Grafting based DNA methylation alteration of snoRNAs in upland cotton (Gossypium L.)

Published 13th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-024-01469-y

Related Studies

2) Exploring the crop epigenome: a comparison of DNA methylation profiling techniques.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1181039

3) Functional diversity of small nucleolar RNAs.

https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkz1140

4) Plant epigenetics: phenotypic and functional diversity beyond the DNA sequence.

https://doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.1645

5) Heritability and Reversibility of DNA Methylation Induced by in vitro Grafting between Brassica juncea and B. oleracea.

https://doi.org/10.1038/srep27233


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