About this Research Topic

Background

Plant responses to environment include an intense and diverse genomic regulation at different levels. Those responses can be modulated by epigenetic status of several mechanisms. In the last decade, many studies have been linking gene methylation/demethylation and chromatin remodeling by acetylation, methylation or ubiquitination, with changes in plant responses to environment. In this sense, the interaction with microorganisms is one of the agents that triggers most reactions in plants.

Due to the variety of areas in which plant-microbe interaction can occur (e.g. rhizosphere, phylloplane or anthosphere), both generic and specific responses are enormously diverse. Previously, important changes have been reported in the composition of the microbiomes associated with plants when certain epigenetic regulatory mechanisms were repressed or activated. Moreover, work with mutant plants in genes related to epigenetic regulation have revealed mechanisms behind the responses to interactions with microorganisms. These mechanisms can influence both the timing of plant defense systems after pathogen infection, and which microorganisms are recruited from the environment to control the effect of environmental stresses. Interestingly, some of these mechanisms have been described as capable of priming the response for interactions and anticipating responses to similar situations in the future. Furthermore, some of these mechanisms have been described as capable of being transferred to subsequent generations by inheriting these modification patterns. On the other hand, the microorganisms themselves also make use of specific epigenetic regulatory mechanisms for interaction with plants, which can range from the regulation of virulence factors, to the improvement of mobility or detection of plant signals. Accordingly, a new scenario arises providing a very interesting biotechnological potential that includes the adaptation of microbiomes to defined environmental conditions, the anticipation and priming for future pathogenic infections, or the identification of regulation patterns to improve the recruitment or repulsion of certain microorganisms.

The objective of this research topic is to compile the latest studies on epigenetic regulation within the context of plant-microorganism interactions. The ultimate goal is to gather the most cutting-edge knowledge to improve the preparation of biotechnological tools to use them in plant-based industries.

We particularly welcome manuscripts dealing with the following topics:
• Epigenetic regulation in microbe-mediated plant growth-promotion interactions.
• Microbiome changes regulated by epigenetic mechanisms.
• Epigenetic influence over pathogenic relationships.
• Environmental stress and epigenetic regulation in plant-microbe relations.
• Mechanisms controlling epigenetic status of plants/microorganisms.

All forms of submissions (i.e. original research papers, Mini Reviews, Methods, Perspectives, Hypothesis and Theories, and Opinion Articles) are welcome.

Please note that descriptive studies and those defining gene families or descriptive collection of transcripts, proteins, or metabolites, will not be considered for review unless they are expanded and provide mechanistic and/or physiological insights into the biological system or process being studied.

Keywords: Epigenetic regulation, Plant-microbe interaction, DNA methylation/demethylation, Environment-mediated epigenome, Microbiome

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