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Epigenetic Mechanisms in Plants: An Overview

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Plant Biology and Biotechnology

Abstract

Plant epigenetics has become one of the hottest topics of research not only as a subject of basic research but also as a possible new source of beneficial traits for plant breeding. In addition, epigenetic mechanisms are also crucial to appropriate plant reactions to stress. Given the sessile lifestyle and the late differentiation of the germ line, plants can perceive stresses during vegetative growth and also memorize them, possibly by epigenetic mechanisms. Plants use three systems to initiate and regulate epigenetic gene regulation, like other higher organisms, which include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and RNA interference. New concepts are being evolved to show how these epigenetic components interact and stabilize each other. The role of epigenetic mechanisms in hybrid vigor and epigenetic transgene silencing is also being explored. In this chapter, we have tried to highlight the epigenetic mechanisms that play key roles in plants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Human Genetics, School of Health Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, 151 001, India

    Anjana Munshi

  2. Department of Molecular Medicine, Vasavi Hospital and Research Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500 004, India

    Y. R. Ahuja

  3. Sri Biotech Laboratories India Limited, Plot No.: 21, Street No.: 2, Sagara Society, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500 034, India

    Bir Bahadur

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  1. Anjana Munshi
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  2. Y. R. Ahuja
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  3. Bir Bahadur
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Correspondence to Anjana Munshi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sri Biotech Laboratories India Limited, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

    Bir Bahadur

  2. Department of Genetics, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India

    Manchikatla Venkat Rajam

  3. Division of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore, Karnataka, India

    Leela Sahijram

  4. Center for Pharmaceutics, Pharmacognosy and Pharmacology, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Trans-Disciplinary Health Science and Technology (IHST), Bangalore, Karnataka, India

    K. V. Krishnamurthy

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Munshi, A., Ahuja, Y.R., Bahadur, B. (2015). Epigenetic Mechanisms in Plants: An Overview. In: Bahadur, B., Venkat Rajam, M., Sahijram, L., Krishnamurthy, K. (eds) Plant Biology and Biotechnology. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2283-5_12

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