Open AccessDynamic changes in transposable element and gene methylation in mulberry (Morus notabilis) in response to Botrytis cinerea
Author(s) -
Youchao Xin,
Bi Ma,
Qiwei Zeng,
Wenmin He,
Meiling Qin,
Ningjia He
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
horticulture research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.947
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 2662-6810
pISSN - 2052-7276
DOI - 10.1038/s41438-021-00588-x
Subject(s) - biology , botrytis cinerea , dna methylation , transposable element , gene , methylation , gene silencing , genetics , gene expression , dna , botany , genome
DNA methylation has been proposed to regulate plant stress resistance. However, the dynamic changes in DNA methylation in woody plants and their correlations with pathogenic responses are not fully understood. Here, we present single-base maps of the DNA methylomes of mulberry ( Morus notabilis ) leaves that were subjected to a mock treatment or inoculation with Botrytis cinerea . Compared with the former, the latter showed decreased mCG and mCHG levels and increased mCHH levels. DNA methylation inhibitors reduced resistance gene methylation levels and enhanced mulberry resistance, suggesting that the hypomethylation of resistance genes affects mulberry resistance to B. cinerea . Virus-induced gene silencing of MnMET1 enhanced the expression of mulberry-resistance genes, thereby increasing the plant’s resistance to B. cinerea . We also found that MITE s play a dominant role in controlling DNA methylation levels. MITE s appear to be the main sources of 24-nt siRNAs that regulate gene expression through the RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway.