Ploidy-induced DNA methylation potentiates gene expression for salt tolerance in tetraploid rice

Polyploidy is a prominent process of evolution and speciation in all flowering plants. Polyploids often show enhanced fitness in diverse and extreme environment, however, the molecular basis remain elusive. In the study, we show that ploidy-induced CHH hypomethylation potentiates genome for expression of JA-related gene. As a result, elevated gene expression in tetraploid leads to CHH hypermethylation in transposable elements (TEs) to maintain genome stability after salt stress. The dural consequences of ploidy-induced hypomethylation in response to stress and stress-related DNA hypermethylation for genome stability may provide an advantage for enhancing adaptation during polyploid plant evolution.