Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2025

An Alternative Culture Method to Maintain Genomic Hypomethylation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using MEK Inhibitor PD0325901 and Vitamin C
Published on: June 1, 2018
Control of DNA demethylation by superoxide anion in plant stem cells
Shiwen Wang1, Min Liu2, Dongping Hu1
1Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
Abstract:
Superoxide anion is thought to be a natural by-product with strong oxidizing ability in all living organisms and was recently found to accumulate in plant meristems to maintain stem cells in the shoot and undifferentiated meristematic cells in the root. Here we show that the DNA demethylase repressor of silencing 1 (ROS1) is one of the direct targets of superoxide in stem cells. The Fe-S clusters in ROS1 are oxidized by superoxide to activate its DNA glycosylase/lyase activity. We demonstrate that superoxide extensively participates in the establishment of active DNA demethylation in the Arabidopsis genome and that ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATOR 12 acts downstream of ROS1-mediated superoxide signaling to maintain stem cell fate. Our results provide a mechanistic framework for superoxide control of the stem cell niche and demonstrate how redox and DNA demethylation interact to define stem cell fate in plants.
More Related Videos
09:23Determination of DNA Methylation of Imprinted Genes in Arabidopsis Endosperm
Published on: January 28, 2011
10:05Stimulation of Stem Cell Niches and Tissue Regeneration in Mouse Skin by Switchable Protoporphyrin IX-Dependent Photogeneration of Reactive Oxygen Species In Situ
Published on: May 8, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Epigenetic Regulation
X-chromosome...
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle