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Agrobacterium-Mediated Immature Embryo Transformation of Recalcitrant Maize Inbred Lines Using Morphogenic Genes
Published on: February 14, 2020
Heritable epigenetic variation among maize inbreds
Steve R Eichten1, Ruth A Swanson-Wagner, James C Schnable
1Microbial and Plant Genomics Institute, Department of Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA.
Plos Genetics
|November 30, 2011
Summary
This study identified natural epigenetic variation in maize, including pure epigenetic changes not linked to DNA sequence differences. These epigenetic variations are heritable and can influence complex traits.
Area of Science:
- Plant genetics
- Epigenetics
- Genomics
Background:
- Epigenetic variation refers to heritable differences not caused by DNA sequence changes.
- Cytosine methylation is a key mechanism for inheriting epigenetic information.
- Maize (Zea mays) presents a complex genome suitable for studying natural epigenetic variation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize natural epigenetic variation in maize.
- To investigate the role of DNA methylation in epigenetic inheritance.
- To distinguish pure epigenetic variation from genetically influenced variation.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling using immunoprecipitation and high-density tiling microarrays.
- Comparison of methylation patterns between two maize genotypes (B73 and Mo17).
- Analysis of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in near-isogenic lines.
Main Results:
- Approximately 700 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified between maize genotypes.
- Several DMRs were found in genetically identical regions, suggesting pure epigenetic variation.
- Most DMRs without genetic variation were controlled by cis-acting factors and showed stable inheritance.
Conclusions:
- This study provides evidence for naturally occurring epigenetic variation in maize.
- Examples of pure epigenetic variation, independent of genetic differences, were identified.
- Epigenetic variations in maize are heritable across generations and may contribute to complex trait variation.
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