Epigenetic responses to stress: triple defense?

Highlights

► Epigenetic control is involved in stress signaling and stress responses. ► Stress can modify epigenetic regulation at many different levels. ► Epigenetic and genetic components of stress responses are connected. ► Epigenetic diversity might be an important factor in stress adaptation and evolution.

Abstract

Stressful conditions for plants can originate from numerous physical, chemical and biological factors, and plants have developed a plethora of survival strategies including developmental and morphological adaptations, specific signaling and defense pathways as well as innate and acquired immunity. While it has become clear in recent years that many stress responses involve epigenetic components, we are far from understanding the mechanisms and molecular interactions. Extending our knowledge is fundamental, not least for plant breeding and conservation biology. This review will highlight recent insights into epigenetic stress responses at the level of signaling, chromatin modification, and potentially heritable consequences.