In a study published in Nature Plants, the team demonstrates that one-carbon (C1) units derived from formate – a by-product of photorespiration – are incorporated into methyl groups in DNA. These methyl groups play a crucial role in regulating gene expression and safeguarding genome stability.
Linking Photorespiration to DNA Methylation
Using the model Arabidopsis, the researchers examined growth under elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) conditions, which suppress photorespiration. They observed genome-wide changes in DNA methylation under these conditions.
These findings indicate that C1 supply via photorespiratory formate contributes to the stable maintenance of DNA methylation patterns. “Our findings establish a direct metabolic link between photorespiration and epigenome stability,” says Dr. Valentin Hankofer, first author of the study.
Implications for Climate and Crop Biology
As atmospheric CO2 levels rise globally, understanding how this affects plant metabolism and epigenetic regulation is important for both basic biology and agricultural applications. The results provide a new perspective on how environmental changes may alter plant epigenomes and, ultimately, development and adaptation through metabolic interactions.
“Our work highlights that what was once considered a wasteful process is deeply rooted in the cellular regulatory network,” adds Dr. Martin Groth, corresponding author of the study. “This expands how we think about the integration of metabolism and gene regulation in plants.”
Original Publication
Hankofer et al., 2026: Photorespiration is linked to DNA methylation by formate as a one-carbon source. Nature Plants. DOI: 10.1038/s41477-026-02222-x
