Role of Epigenetic Mechanisms in Plants: From Basic to Applicative Aspects 2.0

Dear Colleagues,

Plant genomics is a branch of biology that aims to explore all the aspects of an entire genome, from the genetic composition to structure, from organization to functions, and genetic connections. Currently, advances in “omics” technologies and bioinformatics tools have largely contributed to dissecting the genetic architecture of plant genomes and also to identifying key genes and their combinatorial interactions in plant growth and development. The recent new approaches to genome editing have further enriched this expanding field. Moreover, in recent years, increasing attention has been paid to understanding epigenetics and the genome-wide distribution of epigenetic changes, which appear to be essential for dissecting all aspects of genetic studies.

Epigenetics refers to all the molecular pathways that determine changes in genome structure and activity without alterations in the DNA sequence, resulting in stable heritable and nonheritable phenotypes. Overall, these pathways act through chromatin-remodeling processes tracing the chromatin/epigenetic landscape of the genome (epigenome). Moreover, they interact with each other rather than working separately and contribute to the control of several nuclear processes, such as DNA transcription, replication, recombination, and repair.

Typically, the epigenetic machinery includes variants and post-translational modifications of histones; covalent modifications of DNA bases, such as cytosine methylation; and the biogenesis of noncoding RNAs, including long and short noncoding RNAs. However, the epigenomics field is ever broadening, and new epigenetic/epitranscriptomic changes have been identified in all the kingdoms of living organisms, involving a network of chromatin-modifying enzymes, chromatin remodeling complexes, signaling kinases, and also cellular metabolism.

The currently available literature has evidenced that naturally occurring epigenetic processes are essential for defining cell identities and regulating several functions of living organisms, which can be adversely affected when they occur incorrectly. This is particularly documented in animal systems by advanced research carried out in the field of human health. Consistently, in plants, epigenetic processes, in addition to playing a role in heritable genetic diversity and evolution, are essential for growth and development. Moreover, epigenetic changes can also arise under the influence of the environment and be connected to or driven by biotic and abiotic agents, thus contributing to plant growth plasticity and stress responses. However, despite all this information, many aspects of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that operate in and are modulated by epigenetic processes in plants need to be clarified.

This Special Issue will collect meaningful original research, reviews, and perspectives related to all these aspects of plant epigenetics. Contributions dealing with the potential of epigenetic variations for planning new crop-improvement strategies and plant biotechnologies will also be welcome.

Dr. Maria Bitonti
Guest Editor

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