Genetic and environmental drivers of large-scale epigenetic variation in Thlaspi arvense.

ABSTRACT: Natural plant populations often harbour substantial heritable variation in DNA methylation. However, a thorough understanding of the genetic and environmental drivers of this epigenetic variation requires large-scale and high-resolution data, which currently exist only for a few model species. Here, we studied 207 lines of the annual weed Thlaspi arvense (field pennycress), collected across a large latitudinal gradient in Europe and propagated in a common environment. By screening for variation in DNA sequence and DNA methylation using whole-genome (bisulfite) sequencing, we found significant epigenetic population structure across Europe. Average levels of DNA methylation were strongly context-dependent, with highest DNA methylation in CG context, particularly in transposable elements and

SUBMITTER: Galanti D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9591053 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature