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Updated: May 22, 2026

Soybean Hairy Root Transformation for the Analysis of Gene Function
Published on: May 5, 2023
Increased transcription in hydroxyurea-treated root meristem cells of Vicia faba
Konrad Winnicki1, Justyna Teresa Polit, Janusz Maszewski
1Department of Cytophysiology, Institute of Physiology, Cytology and Cytogenetics, University of Lodz, ul. Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Łódź, Poland. konrad.s.krajewski@gmail.com
Abstract:
Hydroxyurea (HU), an inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase, prevents cells from progressing through S phase by depletion of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. Concurrently, disruption of DNA replication leads to double-strand DNA breaks. In root meristems of Vicia faba, HU triggers cell cycle arrest (preferentially in G1/S phase) and changes an overall metabolism by global activation of transcription both in the nucleoplasmic and nucleolar regions. High level of transcription is accompanied by an increase in the content of RNA polymerase II large subunit (POLR2A). Changes in transcription activation and POLR2A content correlate with posttranslational modifications of histones that play a role in opening up chromatin for transcription. Increase in the level of H4 Lys5 acetylation indicates that global activation of transcription following HU treatment depends on histone modifications.
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