Daily changes in specific histone marks are linked to daily gene activity in Arabidopsis

A differential histone modification signature was identified between end-of-day and end-of-night in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves.

• Histone modifications H3K9ac, H3K27ac, and H3S28p are associated with changes in diurnal transcript levels.
• Genes exhibiting this modification signature are particularly enriched for transcription factors and processes related to the circadian clock and starch breakdown.
• Additional activating modifications like H3S10p are more common in well-watered plants, while H3K4me3 is prevalent in water-deficit conditions.
• Reduced binding of repressive transcription factors may promote the activation of these specific chromatin modifications.
• The timing of activating chromatin patterns on genes corresponds with their expression needs during the day.

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