Plant Gene and Trait 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 52-61 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/pgt 52 Review Article Open Access Genetic “Face-Lifting”: Applications and Prospects of Epigenetic Modifications in Stress Response of Trees Xuelian Jiang, Wenfang Wang Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: wenfang.wang@jicat.org Plant Gene and Trait, 2024, Vol.15, No.2 doi: 10.5376/pgt.2024.15.0007 Received: 03 Feb., 2024 Accepted: 08 Mar., 2024 Published: 17 Mar., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Jiang and Wang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Jiang X.L., and Wang W.F., 2024, Genetic “face-lifting”: applications and prospects of epigenetic modifications in stress response of trees, Plant Gene and Trait, 15(2): 52-61 (doi: 10.5376/pgt.2024.15.0007) Abstract Trees play a critical role in ecosystems and human life, serving as essential components of biodiversity and providing numerous ecological and economic benefits. However, various stress factors, such as climate change and pollutants, pose significant threats to tree health and survival. Epigenetics, encompassing mechanisms like DNA methylation, histone modification, and RNA-associated silencing, offers insights into how trees adapt to these stressors at a molecular level. This study delves into the basics of epigenetic mechanisms in trees, highlighting their role in gene regulation during stress responses and evolutionary adaptations. We explore environmental stressors, such as drought, temperature extremes, and pollution, and their corresponding epigenetic responses in trees. Case studies provide detailed examinations of epigenetic changes under specific conditions, including drought, air pollution, and cold tolerance in alpine species. Advancements in technology, such as genomic sequencing and bioinformatics, have revolutionized epigenetic research in trees, allowing for more precise analysis and potential applications in epigenetic editing. The influence of epigenetics on tree development, reproduction, and intergenerational patterns is also examined, emphasizing its impact on forestry practices and conservation strategies. The study concludes with a discussion on the ethical and policy considerations of epigenetic applications, public perception, and future research directions. By integrating epigenetic knowledge with traditional genetic research, this study aim to enhance tree resilience and contribute to sustainable forestry management. Keywords Epigenetics; Environmental stress; Tree adaptation; Forestry conservation; Sustainable management 1 Introduction Trees are indispensable to both ecosystems and human society, serving as the backbone of forest environments, providing habitat for countless species, and playing a crucial role in carbon sequestration. Beyond their ecological importance, trees contribute significantly to human well-being through resources such as timber, food, and medicinal compounds. Additionally, urban trees enhance the quality of life by improving air quality, providing shade, and reducing the urban heat island effect (Locosselli et al., 2020). However, trees face an array of stress factors that threaten their health and longevity. Climate change, with its associated temperature extremes, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events, poses one of the most significant challenges (Marzano and Urquhart, 2020; Jia et al., 2020). Furthermore, pollutants, such as heavy metals, ozone, and particulate matter, contribute to the degradation of tree health, impacting growth, reproduction, and resistance to pests and diseases. Understanding how trees respond to these stressors is critical for developing strategies to protect and sustain forests (Linnakoski et al., 2019; Locosselli et al., 2019). Epigenetics, a field studying heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence, offers profound insights into how trees can adapt to environmental stresses. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and RNA-associated silencing, play pivotal roles in regulating gene expression in response to external stimuli. These modifications can lead to changes in phenotype without altering the underlying genetic code, enabling trees to rapidly adjust to changing environments. This study aims to explore the applications and prospects of epigenetic modifications in enhancing the stress response of trees. By understanding these mechanisms, we can potentially develop innovative approaches to improve tree resilience, contributing to more effective conservation and sustainable forestry practices.
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