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Loss of DNA methylation affects somatic embryogenesis in Medicago truncatula

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Abstract

To investigate the involvement of methylation of DNA in somatic embryogenesis we initiated a comparative study using Medicago truncatula lines that have different capacities to produce somatic embryos. Treatment with the demethylating drug 5-azacytidine caused a loss of regeneration capacity in the embryogenic line by arresting the production of somatic embryos. Analysis with methylation-sensitive enzymes showed disruption of somatic embryogenesis competence to be correlated with rDNA demethylation. Our data suggest production of somatic embryos depends on a certain level of DNA methylation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lab. Biotecnologia de Células Vegetais, ITQB, Aptd 127, 2781-901, Oeiras, Portugal

    D. Santos & P. Fevereiro

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  1. D. Santos
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  2. P. Fevereiro
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Correspondence to D. Santos.

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Santos, D., Fevereiro, P. Loss of DNA methylation affects somatic embryogenesis in Medicago truncatula . Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 70, 155–161 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016369921067

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