5-Azacytidine-induced hypomethylation of tobacco HRS60 tandem DNA repeats in tissue culture

Identifying Genes Associated with Female Flower Development of Phellodendron amurense Rupr. Using a Transcriptomics Approach

Phellodendron amurense Rupr., a species of Rutaceae, is a nationally protected and valuable medicinal plant. It is generally considered to be dioecious. With the discovery of monoecious P. amurense, the phenomenon that its sex development is regulated by epigenetics has been revealed, but the way epigenetics affects the sex differentiation of P. amurense is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of DNA methylation on the sexual development of P. amurense. The young inflorescences of male plants were treated with the demethylation agent 5-azaC, and the induced female flowers were obtained. The induced female flowers’ morphological functions and transcriptome levels were close to those of normally developed plants. Genes associated with the development of female flowers were studied by comparing the differences in transcriptome levels between the male and female flowers. Referring to sex-related genes reported in other plants, 188 candidate genes related to the development of female flowers were obtained, including sex-regulating genes, genes related to the formation and development of sexual organs, genes related to biochemical pathways, and hormone-related genes. RPP0W, PAL3, MCM2, MCM6, SUP, PIN1, AINTEGUMENTA, AINTEGUMENTA-LIKE6, AGL11, SEUSS, SHI-RELATED SEQUENCE 5, and ESR2 were preliminarily considered the key genes for female flower development. This study has demonstrated that epigenetics was involved in the sex regulation of P. amurense, with DNA methylation as one of its regulatory modes. Moreover, some candidate genes related to the sexual differentiation of P. amurense were obtained with analysis. These results are of great significance for further exploring the mechanism of sex differentiation of P. amurense and studying of sex differentiation of plants.

Detection of genome DNA methylation change in spinach induced by 5-azaC

DNA methylation has been implicated in the regulation of gene expression, genome imprinting, and chromatin remodeling in eukaryotes. In this study, we analyzed possible alterations in levels and patterns of cytosine methylation in male and female spinach plants after treatment with demethylation agent 5-azacytidine (5-azaC) using two methods: (1) direct determination of 5-methylcytidine (5 mC) amounts in genomic DNA by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation and quantification of nucleosides and (2) methylation-sensitive inter-simple sequence repeat (MS-ISSR) technique. HPLC analysis revealed that the DNA methylation events in male and female spinach leaves markedly decreased upon 30 μM 5-azaC treatment, and the methylation level gradually decreased with the increase in 5-azaC concentration. To study the altered DNA methylation patterns in spinach after 5-azaC treatment, untreated and 500 μM 5-azaC-treated samples were analyzed by MS-ISSR assay. A total of 385 informative profiles were resolved using 35 ISSR primer sets. MS-ISSR analysis showed various altered methylation patterns between untreated and 5-azaC-treated spinach plants. These alterations were mainly demethylation events, which were largely consistent with the HPLC results. Both HPLC and MS-ISSR analyses showed that the changes in DNA methylation levels and patterns were similar in male and female spinach leaves, which implies that sex was not the main factor influencing DNA methylation levels and patterns in the vegetative organs of spinach. This study could provide a molecular basis of the altered DNA methylation induced by 5-azaC, and lay a foundation for further investigation of the relationship between methylation and sex determination and development in this dioecious plant spinach.

Changes in DNA methylation during somatic embryogenesis in Cucurbita pepo L

Three pumpkin embryogenic lines were initiated on wounded zygotic embryos cultured on medium with or without 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Somatic embryo development was controlled by the availability of various compounds in the medium: presence/absence of 2,4-D, nitrogen sources. The highest rate of DNA methylation was in the early embryo stages, predominantly on MSC medium with 2,4-D and on auxin-free medium supplemented with 1.0 m M NH(4)Cl. DNA methylation was correlated with early embryo development in a manner that was not exclusively dependent on the presence/absence of exogenous auxin. DNA methylation decreased during embryo maturation on auxin-free MSC medium and on auxin-free MSC supplemented with 12.3 micro M 5-azacytidine (5-azaC). The embryogenic features of the pumpkin tissue were preserved, even after a 2-month treatment with 5-azaC.

5-Methylcytosine distribution and genome organization in triticale before and after treatment with 5-azacytidine

Triticale (2n=6x=42) is a hybrid plant including rye (R) and wheat (A and B) genomes. Using genomic in situ hybridization with rye DNA as a probe, we found the chromosomes of the R genome were not intermixed with the wheat chromosomes in 85% of nuclei. After treatment of seedlings with low doses of the drug 5-azacytidine (5-AC), leading to hypomethylation of the DNA, the chromosomes became intermixed in 60% of nuclei; the next generation showed intermediate organization. These results correlate with previous data showing that expression of R-genome rRNA genes, normally suppressed, is activated by 5-AC treatment and remains partially activated in the next generation. The distribution of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) was studied using an antibody to 5-mC. Methylation was detected along the lengths of all chromosomes; there were some chromosome regions with enhanced and reduced methylation, but these were not located at consistent positions, nor were there differences between R and wheat genome chromosomes. After 5-AC treatment, lower levels of methylation were detected. After 5-AC treatment, in situ hybridization with rye genomic DNA sometimes showed micronuclei of rye origin and multiple translocations between wheat and rye chromosomes. Genomic DNA was analysed using methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes and, as probes, two rDNA sequences, two tandemly organised DNA sequences from rye (pSc200 and pSc250), and copia and the gypsy group retrotransposon fragments from rye and wheat. DNA extracted immediately after 5-AC treatment was cut more by methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes than DNA from untreated seedlings. Each probe gave a characteristic restriction fragment pattern, but rye- and wheat-origin probes behaved similarly, indicating that hypomethylation was induced in both genomes. In DNA samples from leaves taken 13–41 days after treatment, RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) patterns were indistinguishable from controls and 5-AC treatments with all probes. Surprising differences in hybridization patterns were seen between DNA from root tips and leaves with the copia-fragment probes.

Evidence for a sequence-directed conformation periodicity in the genomic highly repetitive DNA detectable with single-strand-specific chemical probe potassium permanganate

A single-strand-specific chemical probe, potassium permanganate (KMnO4), was used to study the sequence-dependent conformation periodicity of tandem multicopy repetitive DNA sequences HRS60 and GRS (Nicotiana Species) at the level of single base pair and dinucleotide step. Local DNA structures, sensitive to KMnO4, revealed periodicity of 182 +/- 2 bp, equal to the length of repeat units. Permanganate-sensitive local structures were mapped to both DNA strands of genomic HRS60 sequences and were found to be linked to d(A)n tracts. These adenine tracts are located in the proximity of the intrinsically curved domains. Distamycin A increased reactivity of the DNA but decreased the specificity of DNA cleavage. Similar conformation periodicity has been detected also in the 'canrep' family of repeats (Brassica species). All studied repetitive sequences are predominantly located in the constitutive heterochromatin. We discuss the role of conformation periodicities in relation to a structural code for nucleosome phasing at tandem arrays of DNA repeats.

Physiological aspects of genome variability in tissue culture. I. Growth phase-dependent differential DNA methylation of the carrot genome (Daucus carota L.) during primary culture

Investigations were performed on growth phase-dependent EcoRII site-specific DNA methylation of the carrot genome during primary culture to elucidate physiological aspects of genome DNA variability in tissue culture. While DNA methylation of the root cambium and the secondary phloem and petioles of carrot leaves were strikingly different, the methylation level of the secondary phloem seemed to be independent of cultivar origin, the age of the plants and the extent of secondary root growth. As was shown earlier a change in the differentiated state of the secondary phloem by tissue culture leads to changes in genome modification. Whereas de novo methylation was observed during the first 2 weeks of growth initiation, the results presented demonstrate genome de-methylation during the transition to stationary growth indicating differential εnome methylation during different phases of culture. The presence of kinetin in the nutrient medium of the primary culture was found to be antagonistic to changes in genome modification in general. De novo methylation and subsequent de-methylation of the carrot genome are discussed as gross changes obviously essential to molecular genome differentiation during tissue culture.

Meiotic transmission of a hypomethylated repetitive DNA family in tobacco

We have recently shown that hypomethylation of cytosine residues in the HRS60 family of repetitive DNA sequences can be induced with 5-azacytidine (5-azaC) in tobacco tissue cultures. We have also proven that such a DNA methylation status is maintained during the recovery of protoplasts, plant regeneration, and vegetative development. In the present paper we follow meiotic transmission of hypomethylated HRS60 DNA. Plants obtained from seeds treated with 5-azaC were either self pollinated or crossed with a non-treated control in a reciprocal way. Analysis of the methylation status of the HRS60 DNA revealed that these sequences were hypomethylated in the progenies up to the extent found in the parental 5-azaC-treated plant. Since no parent-of-origin effect was observed, we presume that both male and female gametes transmit an artificial methylation imprint to a similar extent. This result is supported by methylcytosine evaluation in the total genomic DNA samples. A temporal analysis of 5-azaC effects on germinating seeds and a phenotypic evaluation of 5-azaC-treated tobacco plants are also presented.

Organization of telomeric and subtelomeric chromatin in the higher plant Nicotiana tabacum

We have examined the structure and chromatin organization of telomeres in Nicotiana tabacum. In tobacco the blocks of simple telomeric repeats (TT-TAGGG)n are many times larger than in other plants, e.g., Arabidopsis thaliana or tomato. They are resolved as multiple fragments 60-160 kb in size (in most cases 90-130 kb) on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of restriction endonuclease-digested DNA. The major subtelomeric repeat of the HRS60 family forms large homogeneous blocks of a basic 180 bp motif having comparable lengths. Micrococcal nuclease (MNase) cleaves tobacco telomeric chromatin into subunits with a short repeat length of 157 +/- 5 bp; the subtelomeric heterochromatin characterized by tandemly repeated sequences of the HRS60 family is cut by MNase with a 180 bp periodicity. The monomeric and dimeric particles of telomeric and subtelomeric chromatin differ in sensitivity to MNase treatment: the telomeric particles are readily digested, producing ladders with a periodicity of 7 bp, while the subtelomeric particles appear to be rather resistant to intranucleosomal cleavage. The results presented show apparent similarities in the organization of telomeric chromatin in higher plants and mammals.

Characterization of a new family of tobacco highly repetitive DNA, GRS, specific for the Nicotiana tomentosiformis genomic component

Members of a new family of highly repetitive DNA sequences called GRS were isolated from Nicotiana tabacum L. genomic DNA and characterized. Cloned, sequenced monomeric units (180-182 bp) of GRS exhibit properties characteristic of molecules that possess a stable curvature. The GRS family represents about 0.15% of total genomic DNA (10(4) copies per haploid genome) and could be derived from either Nicotiana tomentosiformis or Nicotiana otophora, two possible ancestors of the T genome of the amphidiploid N. tabacum. Sequence homology between the HRS60 (Koukalová et al. 1989) and the GRS family has been estimated to be 57%. In situ hybridization was used to localize GRS on mitotic chromosomes. Hybridization signals were obtained on five pairs of chromosomes at intercalary sites of the longer chromosome arms. The majority of GRS sequences appeared to be organized in tandem arrays and a minority were found to be dispersed through the genome in short clusters, interspersed with other types of DNA repeats, including 25S rDNA sequences. Several loci containing both GRS and HRS60 were also found. Such hybrid loci may indicate intergenomic transfer of the DNA in the amphidiploid N. tabacum. GRS sequences, like HRS60 (Fajkus et al. 1992), were found to specify the location of nucleosomes. The position of the nucleosome core has been mapped with respect to a conserved Mbol site in the GRS sequence and an oligo A/T tract is a major centre of the DNA curvature.

Colchicine-induced heritable modification of chiasma frequency and distribution in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)

One-week-old seedlings of inbred lines of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) were given a 3-h period of treatment with 0.2% colchicine, and this treatment was found to have heritable effects on chromosome behaviour at meiosis. The mean pollen mother cell chiasma frequency was reduced, and there was a corresponding increase in the number of univalents per cell and also changes in cell and bivalent variances. Patterns of chiasma distribution within bivalents were also modified. The effects were seen in the generation in which the treatment was given and they were also observed in the following sexual generation.

DNA methylation of sex chromosomes in a dioecious plant, Melandrium album

Melandrium album, a dioecious plant species, has two heteromorphic sex chromosomes with the XY constitution typical for male and the XX for female plants. This plant represents an experimental model system of sex determination in which the Y chromosome plays a strongly dominant male role. We present data on the overall transcriptional activities of M. album sex chromosomes. DNA methylation patterns were analysed directly at the level of chromosomes using in situ nick-translation of fixed root mitotic chromosomes after nuclease digestion and in vivo labelling with S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-3H] methionine as donor of methyl groups. Both techniques revealed that the two X chromosomes of female plants had different levels of DNA methylation. Cell treatment with a DNA hypomethylating drug, 5-azacytidine, significantly influenced the labelling densities. These results imply that in female M. album plants, one of the two X chromosomes may be hypermethylated and inactive as described for mammalian cells (Lyon hypothesis). A similar analysis made on male cells displayed a similar relative levels of methylation in autosomes and sex chromosomes, thus indicating the transcriptional activity of both Y and X male chromosomes.

Changes in chromatin structure due to hypomethylation induced with 5-azacytidine or DL-ethionine

Changes in chromatin structure of the HRS60 family of repetitive sequences in tobacco DNA were studied after hypomethylation induced with 5-azacytidine or DL-ethionine. The TaqI site in the HRS60 units lies in nucleosomal core regions and its cleavage is enhanced in the hypomethylated chromatin. In contrast, the cleavage of the Sau3AI site located in linker DNA does not depend on the level of methylation of DNA.

Promoter methylation and progressive transgene inactivation in Arabidopsis

Agrobacterium-transformed Arabidopsis plants were generated and the stability of their T-DNA-encoded resistance to kanamycin was examined. Of seven families, each homozygous for a single insertion event, two showed progressive inactivation of resistance over four generations of inbreeding. Loss of resistance was associated with methylation of an Sst II site in the nos promoter of the kanamycin resistance gene. Treatment of plant roots from inactive lines with the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine restored the ability of such lines to form callus on kanamycin-containing media. These observations are consistent with the view that methylation is a factor in the progressive inactivation of transgenes in Arabidopsis.

Differential sensitivity of CG and CCG DNA sequences to ethionine-induced hypomethylation of the Nicotiana tabacum genome

Plant DNA is distinguished from the DNA of all other organisms by its high content of 5-methylcytosine (5mC). 5mC levels may amount to 30% of total cytosines, distributed between the sequences CG and CXG. The results presented here show that the methylation status of CXG sequences could be influenced by culturing tobacco tissues on subtoxic concentrations of ethionine. The hypomethylating effect of ethionine, evaluated as the capability of MspI or HpaII to cleave the DNA, proved to be rather specific for CCG and differed from that of 5-azacytidine which did not discriminate between CG and CXG sequences.