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Review
. 2021 Jul 1;22(13):7118.
doi: 10.3390/ijms22137118.

Deciphering the Epigenetic Alphabet Involved in Transgenerational Stress Memory in Crops

Velimir Mladenov  1 , Vasileios Fotopoulos  2 , Eirini Kaiserli  3 , Erna Karalija  4 , Stephane Maury  5 , Miroslav Baranek  6 , Naama Segal  7 , Pilar S Testillano  8 , Valya Vassileva  9 , Glória Pinto  10 , Manuela Nagel  11 , Hans Hoenicka  12 , Dragana Miladinović  13 , Philippe Gallusci  14 , Chiara Vergata  15 , Aliki Kapazoglou  16 , Eleni Abraham  17 , Eleni Tani  18 , Maria Gerakari  18 , Efi Sarri  18 , Evaggelia Avramidou  18 , Mateo Gašparović  19 , Federico Martinelli  15
Affiliations
Review

Deciphering the Epigenetic Alphabet Involved in Transgenerational Stress Memory in Crops

Velimir Mladenov et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Although epigenetic modifications have been intensely investigated over the last decade due to their role in crop adaptation to rapid climate change, it is unclear which epigenetic changes are heritable and therefore transmitted to their progeny. The identification of epigenetic marks that are transmitted to the next generations is of primary importance for their use in breeding and for the development of new cultivars with a broad-spectrum of tolerance/resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. In this review, we discuss general aspects of plant responses to environmental stresses and provide an overview of recent findings on the role of transgenerational epigenetic modifications in crops. In addition, we take the opportunity to describe the aims of EPI-CATCH, an international COST action consortium composed by researchers from 28 countries. The aim of this COST action launched in 2020 is: (1) to define standardized pipelines and methods used in the study of epigenetic mechanisms in plants, (2) update, share, and exchange findings in epigenetic responses to environmental stresses in plants, (3) develop new concepts and frontiers in plant epigenetics and epigenomics, (4) enhance dissemination, communication, and transfer of knowledge in plant epigenetics and epigenomics.

Keywords: abiotic stress; biotic stress; epigenetic; methodology; stress memory; transgenerational memory.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A model of plant memory acquirement due to consequential exposure to environmental stresses.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Diagrammatic overview of the environmental and physiological factors involved in priming and transgenerational effects. Priming is caused by environmental and physiological factors (antioxidants, redox state, hormonal crosstalk, metabolites signals).
Figure 3
Figure 3
The structure of EPI-CATCH COST Action: working groups and tasks.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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