Populus trichocarpa strain:101-74 Epigenomics. Populus trichocarpa strain:101-74

DNA methylation is a modification participating through chromatin compaction and gene expression to control plant development and their adaptation to environment. Indeed, DNA methylation could influence developmental trajectory through gene expression regulation in shoot apical meristematic cells, the center of morphogenesis In poplar, the model tree, variations of DNA methylation have been reported between genotypes, tissues and in response to drought. Nevertheless, the relationships between gene body DNA methylation and gene expression still need clarification. Our objectives were to map DNA methylation in poplar shoot apical meristematic cells particularly on genes in a non-condensed chromatin environment to highlight gene-body DNA methylation characteristics.

DNA甲基化（DNA methylation）是一类通过染色质压缩（chromatin compaction）与基因表达（gene expression）调控，参与植物发育及环境适应的修饰机制。事实上，DNA甲基化可通过调控作为形态发生中心的茎尖分生组织细胞（shoot apical meristematic cells）内的基因表达，影响植物的发育轨迹。作为模式树种的杨树（poplar），已有研究报道其DNA甲基化在不同基因型、组织间以及干旱胁迫响应中存在差异。然而，基因体DNA甲基化（gene body DNA methylation）与基因表达之间的关联仍有待阐明。本研究旨在绘制杨树茎尖分生组织细胞内，尤其是处于非压缩染色质（non-condensed chromatin）环境中的基因区域的DNA甲基化图谱，以明确基因体DNA甲基化的特征。