Absence of warmth permits epigenetic memory of winter in Arabidopsis

Jo Hepworth, Rea L. Antoniou-Kourounioti, Rebecca H. Bloomer, Catja Selga, Kristina Berggren, Deborah Cox, Barley R. Collier Harris, Judith A. Irwin, Svante Holm, Torbjörn Säll, Martin Howard () and Caroline Dean ()
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Jo Hepworth: Norwich Research Park
Rea L. Antoniou-Kourounioti: Norwich Research Park
Rebecca H. Bloomer: Norwich Research Park
Catja Selga: Lund University
Kristina Berggren: Mid Sweden University
Deborah Cox: Norwich Research Park
Barley R. Collier Harris: Norwich Research Park
Judith A. Irwin: Norwich Research Park
Svante Holm: Mid Sweden University
Torbjörn Säll: Lund University
Martin Howard: Norwich Research Park
Caroline Dean: Norwich Research Park

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Plants integrate widely fluctuating temperatures to monitor seasonal progression. Here, we investigate the temperature signals in field conditions that result in vernalisation, the mechanism by which flowering is aligned with spring. We find that multiple, distinct aspects of the temperature profile contribute to vernalisation. In autumn, transient cold temperatures promote transcriptional shutdown of Arabidopsis FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), independently of factors conferring epigenetic memory. As winter continues, expression of VERNALIZATION INSENSITIVE3 (VIN3), a factor needed for epigenetic silencing, is upregulated by at least two independent thermosensory processes. One integrates long-term cold temperatures, while the other requires the absence of daily temperatures above 15 °C. The lack of spikes of high temperature, not just prolonged cold, is thus the major driver for vernalisation. Monitoring of peak daily temperature is an effective mechanism to judge seasonal progression, but is likely to have deleterious consequences for vernalisation as the climate becomes more variable.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03065-7

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