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(5)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(5)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(5)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(5)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.
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(5)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(5)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(5)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(5)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.
Authors: Suhua Feng; Shawn J Cokus; Xiaoyu Zhang; Pao-Yang Chen; Magnolia Bostick; Mary G Goll; Jonathan Hetzel; Jayati Jain; Steven H Strauss; Marnie E Halpern; Chinweike Ukomadu; Kirsten C Sadler; Sriharsa Pradhan; Matteo Pellegrini; Steven E Jacobsen Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2010-04-15 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Holger Heyn; Ning Li; Humberto J Ferreira; Sebastian Moran; David G Pisano; Antonio Gomez; Javier Diez; Jose V Sanchez-Mut; Fernando Setien; F Javier Carmona; Annibale A Puca; Sergi Sayols; Miguel A Pujana; Jordi Serra-Musach; Isabel Iglesias-Platas; Francesc Formiga; Agustin F Fernandez; Mario F Fraga; Simon C Heath; Alfonso Valencia; Ivo G Gut; Jun Wang; Manel Esteller Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2012-06-11 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Davide Gentilini; Daniela Mari; Davide Castaldi; Daniel Remondini; Giulia Ogliari; Rita Ostan; Laura Bucci; Silvia M Sirchia; Silvia Tabano; Francesco Cavagnini; Daniela Monti; Claudio Franceschi; Anna Maria Di Blasio; Giovanni Vitale Journal: Age (Dordr) Date: 2012-08-25
Authors: Sara Gomez-Cabellos; Peter E Toorop; María Jesús Cañal; Pietro P M Iannetta; Eduardo Fernández-Pascual; Hugh W Pritchard; Anne M Visscher Journal: Protoplasma Date: 2021-07-02 Impact factor: 3.186