DNA Methylation Plays Essential Roles in Plant Growth, Development, and Responses to Environmental Stress

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Scientists at Nanchang University in China have conducted a comprehensive study on the conserved and vital epigenetic modification of DNA methylation in plants. The research, funded by the Sichuan Science And Technology Program, the Sichuan Provincial Financial Special Project For Independent Innovation, and the Scientific Research Start-up Fund Project of Hainan University, aimed to identify and analyze the C5-methyltransferases (C5-MTases) and DNA demethylases (dMTases) gene families in sweet potato. The study revealed a high degree of conservation among these genes, suggesting their essential roles during evolution. The research also discovered multiple cis-acting elements responsive to light and hormones in the promoters of the IbC5-MTases and IbdMTases genes, and found that several of these genes were highly expressed during the early and rapid expansion stages of storage root development.

Key Takeaways:

  • DNA methylation is a conserved and vital epigenetic modification that plays essential roles in plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stress.
  • C5-MTases and dMTases are key regulators of DNA methylation dynamics, and a comprehensive characterization of these gene families in sweet potato has remained elusive until now.
  • The researchers systematically identified and analyzed eight C5-MTase and five dMTase genes in the genomes of diploid Ipomoea trifida (2n = 2x = 30) and autohexaploid Ipomoea batatas (2n = 6x = 90) sweet potato.
  • Phylogenetic, structural, and synteny analyses revealed a high degree of conservation among these genes, suggesting their essential roles during evolution.
  • Promoter analysis uncovered multiple cis-acting elements, particularly those responsive to light and hormones, in the IbC5-MTases and IbdMTases genes.
  • The research concluded that C5-MTases and dMTases may contribute to the regulation of storage root formation in sweet potato through epigenetic mechanisms, offering valuable insights for future functional studies and epigenetic breeding efforts.
  • Songtao Yang and his team of researchers have made significant contributions to the understanding of DNA methylation in plants, with implications for plant breeding and agriculture.

Statistics:

  • 8 C5-MTase genes and 5 dMTase genes were identified and analyzed in sweet potato genomes.
  • The researchers found that these genes were highly conserved among sweet potato species.
  • Multiple cis-acting elements were identified in the promoters of the IbC5-MTases and IbdMTases genes, particularly those responsive to light and hormones.
  • Several IbC5-MTases and IbdMTases genes were highly expressed during the early and rapid expansion stages of storage root development.

Sources:

  • Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of DNA Methyltransferase and Demethylase Gene Families in Sweet Potato and Its Diploid Relative. Plants, 2025,14(11):1735.
  • NewsRx. Nanchang University Researchers Release New Study Findings on Plant Research (Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of DNA Methyltransferase and Demethylase Gene Families in Sweet Potato and Its Diploid Relative). Life Science Weekly. June 24, 2025; p 1790.