Unravelling the Epigenetic Code: DNA Methylation in Plants and Its Role in Stress Response
Emanuela Talarico, Alice Zambelli, Fabrizio Araniti, Eleonora Greco, Adriana Chiappetta, Leonardo Bruno
Abstract
Environmental stress significantly affects plant growth, development, and survival. Plants respond to stressors such as temperature fluctuations, water scarcity, nutrient deficiencies, and pathogen attacks through intricate molecular and physiological adaptations. Epigenetic mechanisms are crucial in regulating gene expression in response to environmental stress. This review explores the current understanding of epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, and their roles in modulating gene expression patterns under environmental stress conditions. The dynamic nature of epigenetic modifications, their crosstalk with stress-responsive pathways, and their potential implications for plant adaptation and crop improvement are highlighted in the face of changing environmental conditions.