Contribution of epigenetic variation to adaptation in Arabidopsis

Marc W. Schmid, Christian Heichinger, Diana Coman Schmid, Daniela Guthörl, Valeria Gagliardini, Rémy Bruggmann, Sirisha Aluri, Catharine Aquino, Bernhard Schmid, Lindsay A. Turnbull and Ueli Grossniklaus ()
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Marc W. Schmid: University of Zurich
Christian Heichinger: University of Zurich
Diana Coman Schmid: University of Zurich
Daniela Guthörl: University of Zurich
Valeria Gagliardini: University of Zurich
Rémy Bruggmann: Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Bern
Sirisha Aluri: Functional Genomics Center Zurich, ETH and University of Zurich
Catharine Aquino: Functional Genomics Center Zurich, ETH and University of Zurich
Bernhard Schmid: Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Basel
Lindsay A. Turnbull: Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Basel
Ueli Grossniklaus: University of Zurich

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract In plants, transgenerational inheritance of some epialleles has been demonstrated but it remains controversial whether epigenetic variation is subject to selection and contributes to adaptation. Simulating selection in a rapidly changing environment, we compare phenotypic traits and epigenetic variation between Arabidopsis thaliana populations grown for five generations under selection and their genetically nearly identical ancestors. Selected populations of two distinct genotypes show significant differences in flowering time and plant architecture, which are maintained for at least 2–3 generations in the absence of selection. While we cannot detect consistent genetic changes, we observe a reduction of epigenetic diversity and changes in the methylation state of about 50,000 cytosines, some of which are associated with phenotypic changes. Thus, we propose that epigenetic variation is subject to selection and can contribute to rapid adaptive responses, although the extent to which epigenetics plays a role in adaptation is still unclear.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06932-5

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