Gene body methylation regulates gene expression and mediates phenotypic diversity in natural Arabidopsis populations.

ABSTRACT: Genetic variation is generally regarded as a prerequisite for evolution. In principle, epigenetic information inherited independently of DNA sequence can also enable evolution, but whether this occurs in natural populations is unknown. Here we show that single-nucleotide and epigenetic gene body DNA methylation (gbM) polymorphisms explain comparable amounts of expression variance in Arabidopsis thaliana populations. We genetically demonstrate that gbM regulates transcription, and we identify and genetically validate many associations between gbM polymorphism and the variation of complex traits: fitness under heat and drought, flowering time and accumulation of diverse minerals. Epigenome-wide association studies pinpoint trait-relevant genes with greater precision than genetic association

SUBMITTER: Shahzad Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12537493 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature