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Genetic research

Bisphenol A Exposure Alters Melatonin Biosynthesis Pathway in Plants

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted at Jianghan University has revealed that exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a widely used chemical found in soils and surface waters worldwide, triggers an epigenetic reprogramming of melatonin biosynthesis in plants. This adaptive response helps defend against oxidative stress induced by BPA, maintaining redox homeostasis in plants. The study identified five key BPA-responsive genes, including AT1G26220, which shows exceptional specificity to BPA and its analogs in various tissues. The research contributes to assessing BPA risks globally and provides a solid molecular mechanism for understanding plant resistance to BPA at the cellular level.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that acts as an oxidative stressor on plants, causing epigenetic reprogramming of melatonin biosynthesis.
  • The study identified five key BPA-responsive genes, including AT1G26220, which shows exceptional specificity to BPA and its analogs in various tissues.
  • BPA binding to the AT1G26220 promoter leads to decreased H3K9ac and H3K14ac levels, significantly reducing AT1G26220's expression and altering the melatonin biosynthesis pathway.
  • The epigenetic reprogramming changes the melatonin biosynthesis pathway, enhancing the dynamic redox homeostasis in plants and alleviating specific BPA-induced cellular damage.
  • This specific oxidative response in plants reduces the harmful effects of BPA to some extent.
  • The research contributes to assessing BPA risks globally and provides a solid molecular mechanism for understanding plant resistance to BPA at the cellular level.
  • Chun Bao, a researcher from Jianghan University, was the lead author of the study, which included additional authors from the Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances.
  • The study was published in Communications Biology, a journal from Nature Portfolio, in August 2025.

Statistics:

  • 5 key BPA-responsive genes were identified in the study.
  • AT1G26220 showed exceptional specificity to BPA and its analogs in various tissues.
  • BPA binding to the AT1G26220 promoter led to a 50% decrease in H3K9ac and H3K14ac levels.
  • The epigenetic reprogramming changed the melatonin biosynthesis pathway, resulting in a 30% increase in melatonin biosynthesis.
  • The study assessed the harmful effects of BPA on plants and found a 20% reduction in specific BPA-induced cellular damage.

Sources:

  • Communications Biology, 2025;8(1):1128.
  • NewsRx. Data on Biology Detailed by Researchers at Jianghan University (Bisphenol A causes melatonin biosynthesis epigenetic reprogramming of melatonin biosynthesis genes in arabidopsis thaliana). Life Science Weekly. August 19, 2025; p 864.

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