DNA Methylation Changes during Somatic Embryogenesis of Hevea brasiliensis

Abstract:

In order to understand the mechanism underlying the difference between self-rooting juvenile clone and donor clones, the extent and pattern of cytosine methylation in genomic DNA of Hevea brasiliensis were assessed by using the approach of methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism（MSAP）. The results showed that notable changes in MSAP profiles of genomic DNA obtained from tissues during somatic embryogenesis. .The level of genomic DNA methylation in anther is the highest in all tissues, while the level of genomic DNA methylation in somatic embryo is the lowest in all tissues. Changes in types of MSAP bands among different tissues were frequently observed, including appearance and disappearance of type I, II, and III MSAP bands.. These results clearly demonstrate the complexity of DNA methylation change during somatic embryogenesis. DNA hypomethylation going with somatic embryogenesis appears to be a necessary step toward transcriptional activation in gene expression.

Key words:Hevea brasiliensis; Somatic embryogenesis; DNA methylation; Methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism