The dynamic duo: how DNA methylation and gene transcription help diatoms thrive in modern oceans

• Published in: Journal of Experimental Botany
• Main Authors: Lin, Xin, Tirichine, Leila, Zhang, Xu
• Other Authors: Xiamen University, Unité en Sciences Biologiques et Biotechnologies de Nantes (US2B), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Nantes Université - UFR de Médecine et des Techniques Médicales (Nantes Univ - UFR MEDECINE), Nantes Université - pôle Santé, Nantes Université (Nantes Univ)-Nantes Université (Nantes Univ)-Nantes Université - pôle Santé, Nantes Université (Nantes Univ)-Nantes Université (Nantes Univ)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2023
• Subjects: [SDV.MP]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Microbiology and Parasitology; [SDV.BBM.GTP]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biochemistry; Molecular Biology/Genomics [q-bio.GN]; Ocean acidification
• Online Access: https://hal.science/hal-04284583; https://hal.science/hal-04284583/document; https://hal.science/hal-04284583/file/the%20dynamic%20%20duo.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erad205

DNA methylation is essential for maintaining genome stability, mediating gene expression, and aiding species in adapting to their environment. Wan et al. (2023) measured the changes in phenotypic traits of the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum in response to a 2-year exposure to ocean acidification, warming, or both, and analysed the concomitant changes in DNA methylation and transcriptomic patterns. Their study revealed that DNA methylation and gene transcription work in concert to enable unicellular phytoplankton to adapt to dynamic environmental changes.