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Inducible Transposition of a Heat-Activated Retrotransposon in Tissue Culture

Yukari Masuta1, Kosuke Nozawa1, Hiroki Takagi2

  • 1Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sappor, Japan.

Plant & Cell Physiology
|December 26, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Heat stress activates ONSEN retrotransposon transposition in plant tissue culture, independent of RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM). This discovery opens avenues for molecular breeding in crops like Japanese radish without genetic modification.

Area of Science:

  • Plant molecular biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Transposable elements

Background:

  • Heat stress can activate transposable elements like ONSEN.
  • RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) is a key epigenetic mechanism regulating transposons.
  • Understanding transposon activation in tissue culture is crucial for plant breeding.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the molecular mechanisms of ONSEN transcriptional and transpositional activation in plant tissue culture.
  • Determine the role of RdDM in heat-induced ONSEN transposition during tissue culture.
  • Explore the potential of tissue culture-induced ONSEN transposition for molecular breeding.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of ONSEN transcriptional and transpositional activity in heat-stressed plant tissue culture.
  • Assessment of RdDM pathway gene expression and DNA methylation levels.
  • Detection of ONSEN insertions in regenerated plants and their progeny.

Main Results:

  • ONSEN transposition occurred in tissue culture independently of RdDM mutation.
  • Heat activation of ONSEN transcripts was not significantly higher in tissue culture than in seedlings.
  • RdDM genes were upregulated by heat stress, but ONSEN DNA methylation and small RNA levels remained unaffected.
  • Alternative mechanisms regulate ONSEN transposition in tissue culture.

Conclusions:

  • ONSEN transposition in plant tissue culture is regulated by a mechanism distinct from RdDM.
  • Heat-primed ONSEN transposition in tissue culture offers a novel tool for molecular breeding.
  • Application in Japanese radish demonstrates potential for non-GMO breeding strategies.
Keywords:
BrassicaceaeHeat stressONSENTissue cultureTransposon

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