Do Trees Learn? Epigenetic Adaptation During Maturation in an Arctic Species.

Overview

Epigenetic response is recognized as an important component in growth and adaptation across species. It is well documented in plants and animals that epigenomic changes occur as a response to environmental factors throughout the lifespan of an organism. Given recent evidence that documents stark differences between embryonic and mature epigenomes, we wanted to explore this trend in Picea glauca. This Arctic spruce species lives at a large ecological transition zone marking the the northernmost boundary where trees can exist: the Arctic Boreal tree line. As part of a larger study on adaptation of trees to rapidly changing arctic conditions, we chose to examine global epigenetic differences between young and old growth on individual trees in the Boreal Forest. Conifers serve well as models for age associated epigenetic adaptation in plants. Their mature leaves are exposed to multiple years of harsh environmental conditions such as cold, wind and herbivory, while their embryonic leaves lack exposure to such environmental challenges. To understand the molecular mechanisms by which generations of trees adapt in order to withstand harsh conditions, we collected embryonic and old growth from Arctic spruce branches across a latitudinal transect starting at tree line and working south. Preliminary analysis suggests that global DNA methylation changes in old growth leaves as a function of latitude. This correlation is absent in embryonic growth. These results suggest that changes at the epigenetic level may correlate with adaptations made by individual trees as they age. This phenomenon may be akin to age correlated changes in the epigenome of human twins, wherein young identical twins have extremely similar methylation levels, whereas older twins’ methylation levels vary greatly. Our findings support the notion that epigenetic modification may play a role in a tree’s ability to cope with extreme environmental change.

Competition history

• AJAS 2019 Category not listed

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