Epigenetic Modifications, Immune Control Processes, and Plant Responses to Nematodes

Plants adapt to biotic and abiotic stresses through physiological, morphological, and genetic changes. In recent years, the fundamental roles of epigenetic mechanisms as regulators of various immune–biological processes in nematode–plant interactions have been increasingly recognized. Epigenetic con...

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Main Authors: Seyedeh Najmeh Banihashemian, Seyed Mahyar Mirmajlessi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/7/742
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author Seyedeh Najmeh Banihashemian
Seyed Mahyar Mirmajlessi
author_facet Seyedeh Najmeh Banihashemian
Seyed Mahyar Mirmajlessi
author_sort Seyedeh Najmeh Banihashemian
collection DOAJ
description Plants adapt to biotic and abiotic stresses through physiological, morphological, and genetic changes. In recent years, the fundamental roles of epigenetic mechanisms as regulators of various immune–biological processes in nematode–plant interactions have been increasingly recognized. Epigenetic control mechanisms include non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), DNA methylation, and histone modifications. Gene expression and gene silencing play crucial roles in activated induced resistance during pathogen attacks. DNA methylation and histone modifications are linked to defense priming or immune memory, such as systemic acquired resistance (SAR). In addition, epigenetic processes play important roles in long-term defense priming, contributing to the development of immunological memory under future stress conditions. Therefore, advances in understanding epigenetic mechanisms hold considerable potential for future research on plant–nematode interactions. However, further development in the basic understanding of interactions among various stresses, the expansion of markers for epigenetic changes, and the permanence of priming are necessary to optimize its utilization in crop protection programs. In this paper, we focus on the function of epigenetic mechanisms in plant defense responses to nematode infection, specifically root-knot nematodes (RKNs). Understanding the adaptive ability of RKNs is important for developing suitable control methods. Additionally, we explore the role of epigenetic mechanisms in plant interactions with biological control agents.
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spelling doaj-art-42f92f4146f3493a9c8cc32030e5c9412025-08-20T02:17:00ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-03-0115774210.3390/agriculture15070742Epigenetic Modifications, Immune Control Processes, and Plant Responses to NematodesSeyedeh Najmeh Banihashemian0Seyed Mahyar Mirmajlessi1Horticultural Science Research Institute, Citrus and Subtropical Fruits Research Center, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ramsar 4691733113, IranDepartment of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Valentin Vaerwyckweg, 1, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumPlants adapt to biotic and abiotic stresses through physiological, morphological, and genetic changes. In recent years, the fundamental roles of epigenetic mechanisms as regulators of various immune–biological processes in nematode–plant interactions have been increasingly recognized. Epigenetic control mechanisms include non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), DNA methylation, and histone modifications. Gene expression and gene silencing play crucial roles in activated induced resistance during pathogen attacks. DNA methylation and histone modifications are linked to defense priming or immune memory, such as systemic acquired resistance (SAR). In addition, epigenetic processes play important roles in long-term defense priming, contributing to the development of immunological memory under future stress conditions. Therefore, advances in understanding epigenetic mechanisms hold considerable potential for future research on plant–nematode interactions. However, further development in the basic understanding of interactions among various stresses, the expansion of markers for epigenetic changes, and the permanence of priming are necessary to optimize its utilization in crop protection programs. In this paper, we focus on the function of epigenetic mechanisms in plant defense responses to nematode infection, specifically root-knot nematodes (RKNs). Understanding the adaptive ability of RKNs is important for developing suitable control methods. Additionally, we explore the role of epigenetic mechanisms in plant interactions with biological control agents.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/7/742immunitymemorynematode infectionplant defense
spellingShingle Seyedeh Najmeh Banihashemian
Seyed Mahyar Mirmajlessi
Epigenetic Modifications, Immune Control Processes, and Plant Responses to Nematodes
Agriculture
immunity
memory
nematode infection
plant defense
title Epigenetic Modifications, Immune Control Processes, and Plant Responses to Nematodes
title_full Epigenetic Modifications, Immune Control Processes, and Plant Responses to Nematodes
title_fullStr Epigenetic Modifications, Immune Control Processes, and Plant Responses to Nematodes
title_full_unstemmed Epigenetic Modifications, Immune Control Processes, and Plant Responses to Nematodes
title_short Epigenetic Modifications, Immune Control Processes, and Plant Responses to Nematodes
title_sort epigenetic modifications immune control processes and plant responses to nematodes
topic immunity
memory
nematode infection
plant defense
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/7/742
work_keys_str_mv AT seyedehnajmehbanihashemian epigeneticmodificationsimmunecontrolprocessesandplantresponsestonematodes
AT seyedmahyarmirmajlessi epigeneticmodificationsimmunecontrolprocessesandplantresponsestonematodes