%A Espinas,Nino A. %A Saze,Hidetoshi %A Saijo,Yusuke %D 2016 %J Frontiers in Plant Science %C %F %G English %K Epigenetic control,DNA Methylation,histone marks,bivalent chromatin marks,defense priming,Transgenerational inheritance,transposable elements,Plant Immunity,PTI,ETI,Plant-microbe interaction %Q %R 10.3389/fpls.2016.01201 %W %L %M %P %7 %8 2016-August-11 %9 Mini Review %+ Nino A. Espinas,Plant Epigenetics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University,Okinawa, Japan,nino.espinas@oist.jp %+ Dr Yusuke Saijo,Nara Institute of Science and Technology,Ikoma, Japan,nino.espinas@oist.jp %+ Dr Yusuke Saijo,Japan Science and Technology Agency, Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology,Kawaguchi, Japan,nino.espinas@oist.jp %# %! Epigenetic control of defense signaling %* %< %T Epigenetic Control of Defense Signaling and Priming in Plants %U https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2016.01201 %V 7 %0 JOURNAL ARTICLE %@ 1664-462X %X Immune recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns or effectors leads to defense activation at the pathogen challenged sites. This is followed by systemic defense activation at distant non-challenged sites, termed systemic acquired resistance (SAR). These inducible defenses are accompanied by extensive transcriptional reprogramming of defense-related genes. SAR is associated with priming, in which a subset of these genes is kept at a poised state to facilitate subsequent transcriptional regulation. Transgenerational inheritance of defense-related priming in plants indicates the stability of such primed states. Recent studies have revealed the importance and dynamic engagement of epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications that are closely linked to chromatin reconfiguration, in plant adaptation to different biotic stresses. Herein we review current knowledge regarding the biological significance and underlying mechanisms of epigenetic control for immune responses in plants. We also argue for the importance of host transposable elements as critical regulators of interactions in the evolutionary “arms race” between plants and pathogens.