Defining the epigenetic toolkit as an evolvable trait

Thanvi Srikant; Hajk Georg Drost

doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2025.11.010

Defining the epigenetic toolkit as an evolvable trait

Thanvi Srikant (Lead / Corresponding author)
, Hajk Georg Drost (Lead / Corresponding author)

Computational Biology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Adaptation of multicellular organisms to new environments can leave distinct signatures in their genomic architecture. Although previous efforts have unveiled the dynamics of (epi)genome evolution, our understanding remains incomplete regarding how phenotypic innovation is achieved by relaxing or constraining the identity of a genome over generations while adjusting to dynamic environments. Using plants, we first compile a list of candidate epigenetic regulators which we refer to as 'epigenetic toolkit' proteins. We propose a new framework for examining the epigenetic toolkit as an evolvable trait during plant adaptation. This could predict how feedback mechanisms between (a)biotic environmental factors and innate regulation of genome architecture can destabilize the homeostatic state of a plant and thereby inherently reshape the (epi)genetic landscapes for both short- and long-term habitat adaptation.

Original language	English
Number of pages	12
Journal	Trends in Plant Science
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2025.11.010
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 12 Dec 2025

Keywords

epigenetics
gene regulation
genome evolution
natural variation
toolkit genes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Plant Science

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10.1016/j.tplants.2025.11.010Licence: CC BY

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abstract = "Adaptation of multicellular organisms to new environments can leave distinct signatures in their genomic architecture. Although previous efforts have unveiled the dynamics of (epi)genome evolution, our understanding remains incomplete regarding how phenotypic innovation is achieved by relaxing or constraining the identity of a genome over generations while adjusting to dynamic environments. Using plants, we first compile a list of candidate epigenetic regulators which we refer to as 'epigenetic toolkit' proteins. We propose a new framework for examining the epigenetic toolkit as an evolvable trait during plant adaptation. This could predict how feedback mechanisms between (a)biotic environmental factors and innate regulation of genome architecture can destabilize the homeostatic state of a plant and thereby inherently reshape the (epi)genetic landscapes for both short- and long-term habitat adaptation.",

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AU - Drost, Hajk Georg

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AB - Adaptation of multicellular organisms to new environments can leave distinct signatures in their genomic architecture. Although previous efforts have unveiled the dynamics of (epi)genome evolution, our understanding remains incomplete regarding how phenotypic innovation is achieved by relaxing or constraining the identity of a genome over generations while adjusting to dynamic environments. Using plants, we first compile a list of candidate epigenetic regulators which we refer to as 'epigenetic toolkit' proteins. We propose a new framework for examining the epigenetic toolkit as an evolvable trait during plant adaptation. This could predict how feedback mechanisms between (a)biotic environmental factors and innate regulation of genome architecture can destabilize the homeostatic state of a plant and thereby inherently reshape the (epi)genetic landscapes for both short- and long-term habitat adaptation.

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KW - genome evolution

KW - natural variation

KW - toolkit genes

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SN - 1360-1385

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Defining the epigenetic toolkit as an evolvable trait

Abstract

Keywords

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