Transgenerational response to stress in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Plants exposed to stress pass the memory of exposure to stress to the progeny. Previously, we showed that the phenomenon of transgenerational memory of stress is of epigenetic nature and depends on the function of Dicer-like (DCL) 2 and DCL3 proteins. Here, we discuss a possible role of DNA methylation and function of small RNAs in establishing and maintaining transgenerational responses to stress. Our new data report that memory of stress is passed to the progeny predominantly through the female rather than male gamete. Possible evolutionary advantages of this mechanism are also discussed.
Boyko
Alex
A
Institute of Plant Biology, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland.
Kovalchuk
Igor
I
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D019175:DNA Methylation; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000378:metabolism; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D056771:Ovule / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D043244:Ribonuclease III / Q000235:genetics; D013312:Stress, Physiological
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D018744:DNA, Plant; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C511919:DCL2 protein, Arabidopsis; C519654:DCL3 protein, Arabidopsis; D043244:Ribonuclease III