Genome-wide DNA hypermethylation confers specialized identity and functions of root border cells

We performed genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of soybean root border cells compared to the root tips. We found a genome-wide DNA hypermethylation in border cells compared to root tips, which contributes to shaping the specialized transcriptome of the border cells. We further explored the role of DNA methylation in the defense response of the border cells. Our results suggested a key role of DNA hypermethylation in the specialized identity and function of the soybean root border cells.