title: Small RNA-mediated epigenetic modifications in plants.
abstract: Epigenetic modifications in plants can be directed and mediated by small RNAs (sRNAs). This regulation is composed of a highly interactive network of sRNA-directed DNA methylation, histone, and chromatin modifications, all of which control transcription. Identification and functional characterization of components of the siRNA-directed DNA methylation pathway have provided insights into epigenetic pathways that form heterochromatin and into chromatin-based pathways for gene silencing, paramutation, genetic imprinting, and epigenetic reprogramming. Next-generation sequencing technologies have facilitated new discoveries and have helped create a basic blueprint of the plant epigenome. As the multiple layers of epigenetic regulation in plants are dissected, a more comprehensive understanding of the biological importance of epigenetic marks and states has been developed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Soil Sciences & Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19711, USA.
authors.forename: Stacey A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Blake C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Meyers
mesh_terms: D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D020868:Gene Silencing; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D006657:Histones; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering