LAUSR

In eukaryotic cells, the expression of protein-coding genes is greatly influenced by the dynamic chromatin environment. Epigenetic mechanisms, including covalent modifications to DNA and histone tails and the accessibility of chromatin, create various chromatin situations for stress-responsive gene expression for adaptation to formidable conditions in nature. Most epigenetic modifications are reversible. For example, DNA and histone methylation can be catalyzed by methyltransferases and can be undone by demethylases. Recent studies have revealed that many epigenetic factors participate in abiotic stress responses, and many specific modifications are inducible and changeable in stressful environments. In this review, we summarize recent progresses on the cross-talk between epigenetic mechanisms and abiotic stress responses in plants. Our review focuses on extreme-temperature stress, drought stress, salt stress, abscisic acid (ABA)-mediated stresses, nutrient stress, ultraviolet (UV) stress and stress memory. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.