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A naturally occurring epiallele associates with leaf senescence and local climate adaptation in Arabidopsis accessions

Author

Listed:
  • Li He

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Wenwu Wu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Zhejiang A & F University)

  • Gaurav Zinta

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Lan Yang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Dong Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Renyi Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Huiming Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhimin Zheng

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Huan Huang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qingzhu Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Northeast Forestry University)

  • Jian-Kang Zhu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Purdue University)

Abstract

Epigenetic variation has been proposed to facilitate adaptation to changing environments, but evidence that natural epialleles contribute to adaptive evolution has been lacking. Here we identify a retrotransposon, named “NMR19” (naturally occurring DNA methylation variation region 19), whose methylation and genomic location vary among Arabidopsis thaliana accessions. We classify NMR19 as NMR19-4 and NMR19-16 based on its location, and uncover NMR19-4 as an epiallele that controls leaf senescence by regulating the expression of PHEOPHYTIN PHEOPHORBIDE HYDROLASE (PPH). We find that the DNA methylation status of NMR19-4 is stably inherited and independent of genetic variation. In addition, further analysis indicates that DNA methylation of NMR19-4 correlates with local climates, implying that NMR19-4 is an environmentally associated epiallele. In summary, we discover a novel epiallele, and provide mechanistic insights into its origin and potential function in local climate adaptation.

Suggested Citation

  • Li He & Wenwu Wu & Gaurav Zinta & Lan Yang & Dong Wang & Renyi Liu & Huiming Zhang & Zhimin Zheng & Huan Huang & Qingzhu Zhang & Jian-Kang Zhu, 2018. "A naturally occurring epiallele associates with leaf senescence and local climate adaptation in Arabidopsis accessions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-02839-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-02839-3
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