Epigenetic Involvement in Hormone Signaling Pathways and Phytohormone Crosstalk: an Emerging Regulatory Network
摘要
Phytohormone signaling underpins practically all facets of plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stressors. While the molecular foundation of hormone monitoring and subsequent signaling is well understood, it is evident that these pathways function within a wider epigenetic context that introduces flexibility, regulatory memory, and environmental responsiveness. The current review summarizes recent discoveries elucidating the impact of DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and small RNA pathways on hormone biosynthesis, transport, perception, and transcriptional regulation across principal phytohormone classes, including the auxin, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene, abscisic acid, jasmonates, brassinosteroids, and salicylic acid. Epigenetic modification of chromatin architecture at hormone-responsive sites enables the plants to synchronize developmental processes with environmental stimuli, including high temperatures, water scarcity, and pathogen attacks. Dynamic and reversible chromatin states facilitate rapid hormonal reprogramming, regulate hormone interactions, and are integral to vital phenotypic processes like thermomorphogenesis, regulation of flowering intervals, fruit ripening, and immune signaling. Subsequent research further substantiates the involvement of hormone-associated epigenetic memory in heterosis and stress adaption across generations. Future advancements in single-cell epigenomics, spatio-temporal chromatin profiling, and targeted epigenome editing is essential for elucidating causal relationships between hormone signaling and chromatin dynamics, especially in agricultural settings. Bibliometrics inevitably illustrate the rapid growth in this area, pinpoint dominant research trends and gaps, and underscore prospective opportunities at the intersection of phytohormone regulation, epigenetic inheritance, crop improvement and protection.