title: Epigenetic regulation of adaptive responses of forest tree species to the environment.
abstract: Epigenetic variation is likely to contribute to the phenotypic plasticity and adaptative capacity of plant species, and may be especially important for long-lived organisms with complex life cycles, including forest trees. Diverse environmental stresses and hybridization/polyploidization events can create reversible heritable epigenetic marks that can be transmitted to subsequent generations as a form of molecular "memory". Epigenetic changes might also contribute to the ability of plants to colonize or persist in variable environments. In this review, we provide an overview of recent data on epigenetic mechanisms involved in developmental processes and responses to environmental cues in plant, with a focus on forest tree species. We consider the possible role of forest tree epigenetics as a new source of adaptive traits in plant breeding, biotechnology, and ecosystem conservation under rapid climate change.
authors: Centre for the Analysis of Genome Evolution and Function, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, M5S 3B2, Canada.
authors: Katharina
authors: K
authors: Bräutigam
authors: Kelly J
authors: KJ
authors: Vining
authors: Clément
authors: C
authors: Lafon-Placette
authors: Carl G
authors: CG
authors: Fossdal
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Mirouze
authors: José Gutiérrez
authors: JG
authors: Marcos
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Fluch
authors: Mario Fernández
authors: MF
authors: Fraga
authors: M Ángeles
authors: MÁ
authors: Guevara
authors: Dolores
authors: D
authors: Abarca
authors: Oystein
authors: O
authors: Johnsen
authors: Stéphane
authors: S
authors: Maury
authors: Steven H
authors: SH
authors: Strauss
authors: Malcolm M
authors: MM
authors: Campbell
authors: Antje
authors: A
authors: Rohde
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Díaz-Sala
authors: María-Teresa
authors: MT
authors: Cervera
keywords: Adaptive response; environmental stress; epigenetic memory of stressful conditions; epigenetics; forest trees; phenotypic plasticity