Chromatin modifications and memory in regulation of stress-related polyphenols: finding new ways to control flavonoid biosynthesis

Abstract

The influence of epigenetic factors on plant defense responses and the balance between growth and defense is becoming a central area in plant biology. It is believed that the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites can be regulated by epigenetic factors, but this is not associated with the formation of a “memory” to the previous biosynthetic status. This review shows that some epigenetic effects can result in epigenetic memory, which opens up new areas of research in secondary metabolites, in particular flavonoids. Plant-controlled chromatin modifications can lead to the generation of stress memory, a phenomenon through which information regarding past stress cues is retained, resulting in a modified response to recurring stress. How deeply are the mechanisms of chromatin modification and memory generation involved in the control of flavonoid biosynthesis? This article collects available information from the literature and interactome databases to address this issue. Visualization of the interaction of chromatin-modifying proteins with the flavonoid biosynthetic machinery is presented. Chromatin modifiers and "bookmarks" that may be involved in the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis through memory have been identified. Through different mechanisms of chromatin modification, plants can harmonize flavonoid metabolism with: stress responses, developmental programs, light-dependent processes, flowering, and longevity programs. The available information points to the possibility of developing chromatin-modifying technologies to control flavonoid biosynthesis.

Keywords:

• Flavonoids
• stress memory
• stress response
• network analysis
• chromatin modification
• heat-shock factors
• bioengineering

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank colleagues of our department for fruitful discussions on this topic. This research was conducted under the state assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (theme No. 121031000144-5).

Glossary

Epigenetic phenomenon

A stable and heritable (through cell division) change in gene expression that is independent of DNA sequence changes.

Epigenetic landscape

An integrated state of epigenetic modifications determined by developmental cues and environmental influences.

Priming

The phenomenon through which a transient stress cue leads to modified defense responses upon exposure to recurrent stress.

Stress memory

The phenomenon by which information on a past stress cue is retained and results in a modified response upon recurring stress.

Transcriptional memory

Sustained differential responses in gene expression after exogenous cues. Transcriptional memory is evident as either a sustained change in expression or a modified response to a second cue.

Transgenerational stress memory

A stress imprint that extends from one stressed generation to at least the first stress-free offspring generation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.