Static magnetic field induced epigenetic changes in wheat callus.

Area of Science:

• Bioelectromagnetics
• Plant Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is susceptible to damage from various endogenous and exogenous factors.
• Magnetic fields (MF) represent an exogenous factor capable of inducing cellular changes.
• DNA methylation is linked to polymorphism-related abnormalities when repair mechanisms are compromised.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of low intensity static magnetic field (SMF) on DNA damage and methylation in wheat calli.
• To determine the influence of exposure duration and callus age on SMF-induced genomic alterations.

Main Methods:

• Wheat calli derived from mature embryos were exposed to a 7 millitesla (mT) static MF for varying durations (24-120 hours).
• DNA damage and methylation were assessed using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Coupled Restriction Enzyme Digestion-Random Amplification techniques.
• Calli of two different ages (7-day-old and 14-day-old) were utilized to evaluate age-dependent responses.

Main Results:

• The highest rate of DNA polymorphism was observed in calli exposed to 7 mT MF for 120 hours, irrespective of age.
• Increased MF exposure duration led to DNA hypermethylation in both 7- and 14-day-old calli.
• Younger (7-day-old) calli exhibited higher polymorphism and DNA methylation ratios, with the highest methylation level (25.1%) recorded in this group after 120 hours of exposure.

Conclusions:

• Low intensity static magnetic fields can induce genomic instability and DNA methylation in wheat calli.
• The duration of MF exposure and the age of the plant material are critical factors influencing the extent of DNA damage and methylation.
• These findings suggest a potential role for bioelectromagnetic interactions in plant genetic regulation.