A genome-wide methylation study of hexaploid wheat

DNA Methylation is an important mechanism of gene expression control that can be passed between generations. Here, we use sodium bisulfite treatment and targeted DNA enrichment to study genome-wide methylation across the 3 sub-genomes of allohexaploid wheat. We demonstrate that differential methylation exists between the A, B and D sub-genomes of wheat, identifying an increase in D sub-genome methylation. We show that altered growth temperature influences the methylation state; identifying a small but functionally predictable set of methylated genes. Finally, we demonstrate that differential methylation affects gene expression, identifying a genome wide correlation between methylation state and differential expression.

DNA甲基化（DNA Methylation）是基因表达调控的重要机制，可跨代传递。本研究采用亚硫酸氢钠（sodium bisulfite）处理与靶向DNA富集技术，针对异六倍体小麦的三个亚基因组开展全基因组甲基化水平分析。研究证实，小麦A、B、D三个亚基因组间存在甲基化差异，其中D亚基因组的甲基化水平有所升高。研究表明，生长温度的改变会影响基因组甲基化状态，并筛选得到一组数量较少但功能可预测的甲基化基因。最后，本研究证实甲基化差异会影响基因表达，并鉴定出全基因组范围内甲基化状态与基因差异表达之间的相关性。