Epigenetic responses to abiotic stresses during reproductive development in cereals

Abstract

Key message Overview of current understanding of epigenetic alterations after abiotic stresses during reproductive development in cereals. AbstractAbiotic stresses, including heat, drought, cold, flooding, and salinity, negatively impact crop productivity. Various stages during reproductive development are especially sensitive to environmental stresses, which may lead to complete sterility and severe yield losses. Plants exhibit diverse responses to ameliorate stress damage. Changes in DNA methylation, histone modification as well as regulation of small RNA and long noncoding RNA pathways have been shown to represent key modulators in plant stress responses. During reproductive development in cereals, various protein complexes controlling histone and DNA methylation have been identified, revealing conserved and novel mechanisms regulating abiotic stress responses in cereals and other plant species. New findings highlight the role of transposable elements during stress periods. Here, we review our current understanding of epigenetic stress responses during male and female gametophyte formation (germline development), fertilization, early seed devolvement, and seed maturation in cereals. An integrative model of epigenetic responses during reproductive development in cereals is proposed, emphasizing the role of DNA methylation and histone modifications during abiotic stresses.

Compared to Australian Cultivars, European Summer Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Overreacts When Moderate Heat Stress Is Applied at the Pollen Development Stage

“…Unlike vegetative development, where stresses can be tolerated to a certain extent, reproductive development is highly sensitive to environmental stresses [18][19][20]34,45]. Male gametophyte or pollen development is especially susceptible to environmental stimuli, resulting in morphological, metabolic, and epigenetic alterations [23].…”

“…At the reproductive stage, heat stress results in severe yield losses in several crop species including wheat [18][19][20][21]. Particularly, male reproductive development is sensitive to environmental stresses [18,22]. Elevated temperatures during pollen development are detrimental to the formation of functional pollen.…”

“…Elevated temperatures during pollen development are detrimental to the formation of functional pollen. Anthers and pollen itself represent important photosynthetic sink tissues as high accumulation of photoassimilates, including starch and monomers of carbohydrates, are required during their development [18,22]. Starch and other reserve substances are accumulated in pollen grains and required during pollen tube growth to deliver the sperm cells towards the female gametes (egg and central cell) to ensure proper fertilization.…”

Epigenetic signatures of stress adaptation and flowering regulation in response to extended drought and recovery in Zea mays

“…By interfering with endogenous cues, drought stress can strongly influence plant reproductive development, including the transition from vegetative to inflorescence meristem and flower formation (Begcy & Dresselhaus, 2018;Kazan & Lyons, 2016;Song, Ito, & Imaizumi, 2013). Depending on the species and timing, drought stress can both accelerate or inhibit the flowering process, as recently reviewed in Kazan &Lyons, 2016 andTakeno, 2016, anddifferent genes are emerging as interconnecting regulators of floral development and drought responses in different plant species (Galbiati et al, 2016;Hyun, Richter, & Coupland, 2017;Miao, Han, Zhang, Chen, & Ma, 2017;Mishra & Panigrahi, 2015).…”

Systematic analysis of JmjC gene family of Brassica napus and KDM5 subfamily involved in abiotic stress response

“…Environmental conditions dramatically affect plant growth and crop production. Epigenetic mechanisms have also been involved in the regulation of stress response genes [70,71]. Santos et al…”