Plant Epigenetics
Research Teams
Plant Epigenetics
Our group is focused on plant epigenetics, mainly on the molecular mechanisms of active DNA demethylation and transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) in the model plant Arabidopsis and crops. We aim to identify and characterize novel components involved in the regulation of active DNA demethylation through genetic screen and biochemical approaches. We are also interested in deciphering the epigenetic mechanisms of plant response to environmental stresses.
Principal Investigator
Team members
XiaochangYin, Ph.D., Associate Researcher
Education
2014-2018, PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan University, China
2011-2014, MS in Plant Genetics and Breeding, Hainan University, China
2006-2010, BS in Bioengineering, Jilin Agricultural University, China
Working Experience
May 2023-now, Associate Researcher, Peking UniversityInstitute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences,China
July 2020-Dec. 2022, Postdoctoral Research, Peking University, China
Research Interests
Chromatin structure changes in crops under stress conditions.
Selected Publications
Xiaochang Yin#, Francisco J. Romero-Campero#*, Minqi Yang#, Fernando Baile, Yuxin Cao, Jiayue Shu, Lingxiao Luo, Dingyue Wang, Shang Sun, Peng Yan, Zhiyun Gong, Xiaorong Mo, Genji Qin, Myriam Calonje*, Yue Zhou*. 2023. BMI1 binding and H2AK121ub contribute to shaping local and long-range interactions in Arabidopsis genome. The Plant Cell 35 (7):2484-2503.
Xiaochang Yin#, Francisco J. Romero-Campero#*, Pedro de Los Reyes, Guangmei Tian, XiaoZeng Yang, Xiaorong Mo, Shuangshuang Zhao, Myriam Calonje* and Yue Zhou*. 2021. H2AK121ub in Arabidopsis associates with a less accessible chromatin state at transcriptional regulation hotspots. Nature Communications 12 (1):315.
Xiaochang Yin#, Youquan Xia#, Qing Xie#, Yuxin Cao, Zhenyu Wang, Gangping Hao, Jie Song, Yang Zhou* and Xingyu Jiang*. 2020. The protein kinase complex CBL10-CIPK8-SOS1 functions in Arabidopsis to regulate salt tolerance. Journal of experimental botany 71 (6):1801-1814.
YuxinCao,Ph.D., Associate Researcher
Education
2013 - 2016, PhD in Genetics, Hainan University, China
2010 - 2013, MS in Plant Molecular Genetics, Hainan University, China
2005 - 2009, BS in Science Education, Ludong University, China
Working Experience
May 2023 – now, Associate Investigator, Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, China
October 2020-November 2022, Research Assistant, Peking University, China
April 2017-Sepermber 2020, Postdoctoral research, Peking University, China
Research Interests
Biological function of noncoding RNA in plants
Selected Publications
Linhua Sun#, Yuxin Cao#, Zhu Li#, Yi Liu, Xiaochang Yin, Xing Wang Deng*, Hang He*, and Weiqiang Qian*.2023.Conserved H3K27me3-associated chromatin looping mediates physical interactions of gene clusters in plants. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology 65:1966–1982.
Xiaochang Yin#, Francisco J Romero-Campero#, Minqi Yang#, Fernando Baile, Yuxin Cao, Jiayue Shu, Lingxiao Luo, Dingyue Wang, Shang Sun, Peng Yan, Zhiyun Gong, Xiaorong Mo, Genji Qin, Myriam Calonje*, Yue Zhou*. 2023. Binding by the Polycomb complex component BMI1 and H2A monoubiquitination shape local and long-range interactions in the Arabidopsis genome. The Plant Cell 35:2484–2503.
Yuxin Cao, Jiayin Wang, Songlin Wu, Xiaochang Yin, Jia Shu, Xing Dai, Yannan Liu, Linhua Sun, Danmeng Zhu, Xing Wang Deng, Keqiong Ye and Weiqiang Qian*. 2022. The small nucleolar RNA SnoR28 regulates plant growth and development through by directing rRNA maturation. The Plant Cell 34:4173–4190.
Ningkun Liu#; Yanzhuo Xu#; Qi Li; Yuxin Cao; Dechang Yang; Shasha Liu; Xiaokang Wang; Yingjie Mi; Yang Liu; Chenxi Ding; Yan Liu; Yong Li; Yao-Wu Yuan; Ge Gao; Jinfeng Chen*; Weiqiang Qian*; Xiaoming Zhang*. 2022. A lncRNA fine-tunes salicylic acid biosynthesis to balance plant immunity and growth. Cell Host & Microbe 30, 1–15.
Xaochang Yin#, Youquan Xia#, Qing Xie#, Yuxin Cao, Zhenyu Wang, Gangping Hao, Jie Song,Yang Zhou, and Xingyu Jiang*. 2020. The protein kinase complex CBL10–CIPK8–SOS1 functions in Arabidopsis to regulate salt tolerance. Journal of Experimental Botany 6:1801-1814.
Jinling Zhai#, Hui Hao#, Hua Xiao, Yuxin Cao, Xiangui Lin, Xi Huang*. 2018. Identification of JAZ-interacting MYC transcription factors involved in latex drainage in Hevea brasiliensis. Scientific Reports 8:909.
Yafei Fan#, Shumin Wan#, Yingshuo Jiang#, Youquan Xia, Xiaohui Chen, Mengze Gao, Yuxin Cao, Yuehua Luo, Yang Zhou, Xingyu Jiang*. 2018. Over-expression of a plasma membrane H+-ATPase SpAHA1 conferred salt tolerance to transgenic Arabidopsis. Protoplasma 255:1827–1837.
Yuxin Cao#, Xian Xiang#, Mengting Geng, Qin You, Xi Huang*. 2017. Effect of HbDHN1 and HbDHN2 Genes on Abiotic Stress Responses in Arabidopsis. Frontiers in Plant Science 8:470.
Yuxin Cao#, Jinling Zhai#, Qichao Wang, Hongmei Yuan, Xi Huang*. 2017. Function of Hevea brasiliensis NAC1 in dehydration-induced laticifer differentiation and latex biosynthesis. Planta 245:31–44.
Dong Ci, Ph.D., Biology, Associate Researcher
Biological function of nucleic acid-binding proteins and noncoding RNA-protein complexes in plants
Education
2012-2019 PhD in Biology, Beijing Forestry University,China
2008-2012 BS in Biology, Beijing Forestry University,China
Working Experience
Nov.2021-Now,Associate Researcher,Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences,China
Nov. 2019-Nov. 2021,Postdoctoral research,Peking University, China
Research Interests
l Biological function of nucleic acid-binding proteins and noncoding RNA-protein complexes in plants
Zedan Shen, Ph.D.,Assistant professor
Working Experience
2018-2023Postdoctoral Research Scientist, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, U.S.A
2023- Now Assistant Professor, Peking University Institute of Advanced Agriculture Sciences, China
Research Interests
● Molecular mechanism of heat stress tolerance in crop plants
● Regulatory roles and function of noncoding RNA
Ting Wang, Ph.D.,Postdoctoral research
Education
2016-2022 PhD in School of LifeSciences, Shandong University, China
2012-2016 BS in Biology,in biology from Taiyuan Normal University, China
Working Experience
Apr.2022-Now,Postdoctoral research,Peking University Institute of Modern Agriculture Sciences, China
Research Interests
l Molecular mechanisms and biological function of active DNA demethylation in rice
l Mechanism analysis of ACD proteins in regulating heat stress tolerance in Arabidopsis
Selected Publications
TingWang,XingkunLi,XiLiu,XianqinYang,YanjieLi,Bingkai Hou*.2022.Rice glycosyltransferase gene UGT2 functions in salt stress tolerance under the regulation of bZIP23 transcription factor.Plant Cell Reports.
TingWang,Yuqing Ma, Xiuxiu Huang, Tianjiao Mu, Yanjie Li, Xingkun Li, Xi Liu, Bingkai Hou*. 2021. Overexpression of OsUGT3 enhances drought and salt tolerance through modulating ABA synthesis and scavenging ROS in rice. Environmental and Experimental Botany 192, 104653.
Ting Wang, Pang Li, Tianjiao Mu, Guangrui Dong, Chengtao Zheng, Sanghui Jin, Tingting Chen, BingkaiHou*,Yanjie Li*.2020.Overexpressionof UGT74E2, an Arabidopsis IBA glycosyltransferase, enhances seed germination and modulates stress tolerance via ABA signaling in rice. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21, 7239.
Lu Chen, Wenshuai Wang, Ting Wang, Xiafei Meng, Tingting Chen, Xiuxiu Huang, Yanjie Li, Bingkai Hou*. 2019. Methyl salicylate glucosylation regulates plant defense signaling and systemic acquired resistance.The Plant Physiology 180, 2167-2181
Yanjie Li, Pan L, Ting Wang, Fengxia Zhang, Xuxu Huang, Bingkai Hou*. 2018. The maize secondary metabolism glycosyltransferase UFGT2 modifies flavonols and contributes to plant acclimation to abiotic stresses. Annals of Botany 122, 1203-1217.
Yanjie Li, Fangfei Liu, Pan Li,Ting Wang, Chengtao Zheng, Bingkai Hou*. 2020. An Arabidopsis cytokinin-modifying glycosyltransferase UGT76C2 improves drought and salt tolerance in rice. Frontiers in Plant Science 11.
Qian Liu, Tingting Chen, Dongwang Xiao, Shuman Zhao, Jishan Lin, Ting Wang, Yanjie Li, Bingkai Hou*2019 OsIAGT1 is a glucosyltransferase gene involved in the glucose conjugation of auxins in rice. Rice, 12:1-13.
Wenjie Liang, Ph.D.,Postdoctoral research
Education
2017-2022 PhD in School of LifeSciences, Peking University, China
2014-2016 Master in in School of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, China
2010-2014 BS in Biology,in biology from Northwest A&F University, China
Working Experience
July.2022-Now,Postdoctoral research,Peking University Institute of Modern Agriculture Sciences, China
Research Interests
l CG and non-CG DNA methylation synergistically regulate plant development and genome stability
Selected Publications
Wenjie Liang#, Jinchao Li#,Linhua sun#, Yi Liu, Zijun Lan, Yan Li, Weiqiang Qian*.2021. Deciphering the synergistic and redundant roles of CG and non-CG DNA methylation in plant development and TE silencing. New Phytologist233,722–737
Jinchao Li#, Wenjie Liang#,Yan Li, Weiqiang Qian*.2018.APURINIC/APYRIMIDINIC ENDONUCLEASE2 and ZINCFINGER DNA 3′-PHOSPHOESTERASE play overlapping roles in the maintenance of epigenome and genome stability. The Plant Cell30,1954-1970
Jinchao Li#, Wenjie Liang#, Yi Liu, Zhitong Ren, Dong Ci, Jinjie Chang, Weiqiang Qian*. 2022. The Arabidopsis ATR-SOG1 signaling module regulates pleiotropic developmental adjustments in response to 3'-blocked DNA repair intermediates.The Plant Cell34,852-866
Wei Lin#, Linhua sun#, RunZhou Huang, Wenjie Liang, Xinyu Liu, Hang He*, Hiroo Fukuda*, Xin-Qiang He*, Weiqiang Qian*.2021.Active DNA demethylation regulates tracheary element differentiation in Arabidopsis. Science Advance6, eaaz2963