Temperature reshapes epigenomic diversity in Arabidopsis thaliana -- JSD and Methylator reveal RdDM-CMT2 plasticity
Abstract
DNA methylation can be associated with phenotypic plasticity, yet how temperature shapes DNA methylation diversity in natural populations is unclear. Analyzing whole-genome bisulfite sequencing from 1075 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions grown at 10C, 16C, and 22C, we quantified single-cytosine diversity using Jensen-Shannon Divergence (JSD). Diversity consistently peaked at intermediate methylation levels across the CpG, CHG, and CHH sequence contexts. Temperature modulated this diversity, primarily impacting intermediately methylated sites, with non-CG contexts (CHG and CHH) exhibiting increased diversity at warmer temperatures. Notably, at 22C, CHH diversity patterns indicated altered balance between the RdDM and CMT2 pathways that regulate specific transposable element (TE) superfamilies. Furthermore, accessions from Southern Europe displayed higher non-CG diversity at 22C compared to Northern European accessions. Our findings reveal that temperature influences the epigenomic diversity landscape, highlighting context-dependent plasticity, a dynamic interplay between silencing pathways, and potential geographic adaptation in response to environmental cues.
Turn this paper into a full lesson
ArcXiv compiles a staged curriculum from this paper: 8-12 lessons across beginner → advanced, synthesised section guides, visuals, flashcards, a quiz, exercises, and on-demand deep dives per section. Grounded in the abstract, never invented.