Dynamic regulatory mechanisms of histone methylation in plant development and environmental adaptation

Abstract Histone modification is an important part of epigenetic research and plays a significant role in maintaining the stability of eukaryotic genomes, regulating gene expression and chromatin remodelling. Histone methylation is one of the most complex modification forms in epigenetic regulation, which can occur on specific lysine or arginine residues at the tail of histones. Its biological function depends on the degree of methylation (me/me2/me3). Histone methylation involves multiple links, such as “writer”, “reader”, and “eraser” enzymes, and can activate or inhibit gene transcription by recruiting various downstream effector proteins. As molecular biology techniques have advanced, significant progress has been made in fundamental research on histone methylations in plants, and researchers have gained insights into its complex multilevel regulatory mechanisms. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the roles of histone methylation in regulating plant dormancy and germination, flowering and senescence, as well as stress responses, and proposes a cross-regulatory model integrating histone methylation with multiple signalling pathways. These insights provide a theoretical foundation for the application of epigenetic breeding strategies in horticultural crops, with the goal of enhancing stress resistance, yield, and stress tolerance.