Genome-wide alterations of epigenomic landscape in plants by engineered nanomaterial toxicants

Abstract Epigenetic changes structure our life cycle through heritable and irreversible changes in DNA, histone proteins or non-coding miRNAs without alterations in the underlying DNA sequences. Environmental stimuli have been documented to impact the epigenomic landscape of living organisms in either positive or negative fashion. Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are being increasingly used in industries for their multitude of uses. Equipped with supramolecular surface reactivity, diminutive size and quantum properties, ENMs present with another unique challenge to the living organisms, since there have been limited or no selection pressure exists against these particles. However, the extent, ENM's influence on epigenetic defects have been studied in human cancers or genetic disorders, have not been explored in the plants in terms of epigenetic aberrations and responses. Herein, we aimed to summarize the intricacies in plant epigenetic mechanisms in response to the ENMs mediated stresses. We have emphasized plant-epigenetic responses to ENM-toxicity with suitable references and experimental evidences. This review is expected to appeal a broad range of readers, interested plant physiology, nanoparticles induced epigenetic stress responses, or nanotoxicology and will be equally appealing to the entrepreneurs of agro-medical industries.