Although the male germline DNA methylomes and their dynamics have been well studied, how the methylation pattern was established in germ cells was elusive. Our discoveries elucidate essential methylation and regulatory mechanisms in plant germlines that mediate intergenerational heredity, and establish a novel epigenetic paradigm in how germlines perceive and respond to stress.
Our discoveries reveal a new mechanism suggesting how DNA methylation was established in male germ cells directed by its nurse cells. Above all, our works indicate how this pathway mentioned above is involved in the ambient temperature sense, uncovering a novel molecular regulation mechanism in plant germline thermotolerance, which is believed to impact the relative research field.
The overall objectives have been successfully achieved including 1) Elucidate DNA methylation reprogramming in the Arabidopsis germline, 2) Determine the role of methylation reprogramming in mediating male thermotolerance, 3) Uncover the biological functions of methylation reprogramming in the germline.