Abstract Detail

Plant epigenetics: phenotypic and functional diversity beyond the DNA sequence

De-la-Peña, Clelia [1], Duarte-Aké, Fátima [2], Us-Camas, Rosa [2].

Albinism in Agave: an epigenetic clue involved.

Albinism in plants is a rare phenomenon that occurs in nature and is characterized by the total or partial loss of photosynthetic pigments. Although progress has been made in understanding the nature of this phenomenon, the epigenetic and biological basis are still unexplored. During the micropropagation of Agave angustifolia Haw., we found three different phenotypes, green (G), variegated (V) and albino (A). To understand the physiological and epigenetic differences among the Agave somaclones, we analyzed several morphophysiological parameters and changes in the DNA methylation patterns in the three phenotypes during their in vitro development. Epigenetic analysis revealed that global DNA methylation increased in the G phenotype during the first two subcultures. However, after that time, DNA methylation levels declined. This hypomethylation correlated with the appearance of V shoots in the G plantlets. A similar correlation occurred in the V phenotype, where an increase of 2 % in the global DNA methylation levels was correlated with the generation of A shoots in the V plantlets. We also analyzed different histone marks (H3K4me2, H3K36me2, H3K9ac, H3K9me2 and H3K27me3) and almost a 2–4.5-fold increase in H3K9ac was observed in albino plants in comparison with variegated or green plants, suggesting a change in chromatin compaction related to A. angustifolia albinism. This suggests that an ‘‘epigenetic stress memory’’ during in vitro conditions causes a chromatin shift that favors the generation of variegated and albino shoots.

1 - Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, Biotechnology, Calle 43 # 130 x 32 y 34 Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán, 97205, México
2 - Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants, Calle 43 # 130 x 32 y 34 Chuburná de Hidalgo, , Mérida, Yucatán, 97205, México

Keywords:
Somaclonal Variation
DNA methylation
Histone modifications.

Presentation Type: Symposium Presentation
Session: SY1, Plant epigenetics: phenotypic and functional diversity beyond the DNA sequence
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2020
Time: 1:15 PM
Number: SY1008
Abstract ID:260
Candidate for Awards:None