Genotype, not heat, determines DNA methylation in potatoes
Potatoes are sensitive to high temperatures, which affects gene activity and yield. In our new study, recently published in the journal The Plant Journal (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/tpj.70690) published, we investigated the role of DNA methylation in the heat response of two potato varieties: the moderately heat-tolerant variety Annabelle and the heat-sensitive variety Camel.
The results show that most differences in DNA methylation are independent of heat stress and mainly reflect genetic differences between the varieties. Although many genes were identified whose activity changes under heat stress, only a few of these changes were directly related to changes in DNA methylation. Overall, the study suggests that DNA methylation in potatoes under heat stress is largely stable and contributes to genetic diversity rather than directly controlling gene expression.