【摘要】 表观遗传学(epigenetics)是研究没有DNA序列变化的、可遗传的基因表达的改变。目前研究表明,表观遗传学在植物生长发育过程中起着极其重要的作用,主要通过包括DNA甲基化、RNA干涉、基因组印记、转基因沉默等多个方面来调控植物的生长发育。其中,DNA甲基化是表观遗传学的最重要研究内容之一,是调节基因组功能的重要手段。现对植物DNA甲基化的特征、维持机制、调控机制、表观遗传作用及其研究方法进行简要论述。更多还原

【Abstract】 Epigenetics is defined as gene-regulating activities with heritable characteristics that do not involve a change to the base sequences. It’s responsible for the mechanisms of the temporal and spatial control of gene activity in plants through the study of DNA methylation,RNA interference,genomic imprinting,transcriptional gene silencing,etc. Thereinto,the best known and most thoroughly studied epigenetic phenomena is DNA methylation,which plays an important role in regulating gene expression during plant regeneration and development. In this review,the authors briefly introduced the characteristics of plant methylation,its regulating mechanisms,epigenetic functions and analysis techniques.更多还原