Chromatin modification acts as a memory for systemic acquired resistance in the plant stress response

Priming of defence genes for amplified response to secondary stress can be induced by application of the plant hormone salicylic acid or its synthetic analogue acibenzolar S ‐methyl. In this study, we show that treatment with acibenzolar S ‐methyl or pathogen infection of distal leaves induce chromatin modifications on defence gene promoters that are normally found on active genes, although the genes remain inactive. This is associated with an amplified gene response on challenge exposure to stress. Mutant analyses reveal a tight correlation between histone modification patterns and gene priming. The data suggest a histone memory for information storage in the plant stress response. Plants can acquire systemic resistance to stress or infection after a first localized exposure. The paper provides evidence that histone modifications provide a memory that sensitizes defense genes for stronger responses.