Non-coding and epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of seed germination in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Abstract

Seed germination as a developmental process has been extensively studied using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Its seed biology is generally well understood, from the regulation of seed maturation and dormancy to germination and the post-germinative transition. These events are the result of extensive transcriptional reprogramming mediated by essential epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, different histone variants and modifications, and non-coding regulatory RNAs. Studying these mechanisms is essential for understanding the regulation of gene expression during germination. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge of the mechanisms regulating seed biology in Arabidopsis and discuss aspects requiring further study.