表观遗传是指DNA序列不发生变化, 但基因表达发生了可遗传的改变, 主要涉及DNA与染色体上的一些可逆修饰以及一些转录调控机制。DNA甲基化、组蛋白修饰和非编码RNA调控是表观遗传学研究的三大支柱。三者在植物生长发育、应对生物和非生物胁迫以及适应环境变化中发挥着极其重要的作用。该文综述了植物中DNA甲基化、组蛋白修饰、非编码RNA调控的研究进展及其对植物株高、生育期、花型、果实着色以及应对环境胁迫等方面的影响。

Epigenesis is defined as heritable changes that can modulate gene expression without any changes in DNA sequence, including reversible modification of DNA and chromatin and post-transcriptional regulation. DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA regulation are the 3 pillars of epigenetics research. These epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in developmental regulation, the response to biotic and abiotic stress, and environmental adaption of plants. This review covers the research into epigenetic modifications in plants and impact on the developmental process of plants (e.g., plant height, flowering time, floral symmetry, fruit ripening) and the response of plants to environmental stresses.