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Global 5-methylcytosine alterations in DNA during ageing of Quercus robur seeds.
- Source :
- Annals of Botany; Sep2015, Vol. 116 Issue 3, p369-376, 8p
- Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- *Background and Aims Epigenetic regulation plays an important role in the management of plant growth, development and response to stress factors, and several reports have indicated that DNA methylation plays a critical role in seed development and viability. This study examines changes in 5-methylcytosine (m<superscript>5</superscript>C) levels in the DNA of seeds during ageing, a process that has important implications for plant conservation and agriculture. *Methods Changes in the global level of m<superscript>5</superscript>C were measured in mature seeds of oak, Quercus robur. The extent of DNA methylation was measured using a protocol based on two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. Viability of seeds was determined by germination and seedling emergence tests. *Key Results An ageing-related decrease in total m<superscript>5</superscript> C during storage of recalcitrant seeds was highly and significantly correlated with a decrease in seed viability, as reflected by a reduction in germination (r= 0-8880) and seedling emergence (r = 0-8269). *Conclusions The decrease in viability during ageing of Q. robur seeds is highly correlated with a global decline in the amount of m<superscript>5</superscript>C in genomic DNA, and it is possible that this may represent a typical response to ageing and senescence in recalcitrant seeds. Potential mechanisms that drive changes in genomic DNA methylation during ageing are discussed, together with their implications for seed viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- DNA methylation
DORMANCY (Biology)
PLANT epigenetics
SEED aging
OAK
PLANT growth
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03057364
- Volume :
- 116
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Annals of Botany
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 109545181
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcv104