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Differentiation of metaxylem cell line in the root ofAllium cepa L.

III. Levels of endogenous DNA methylation

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Summary

The differentiation processes of the metaxylem cell line in the root ofAllium cepa are characterized by amplification phenomena of repetitive DNA sequences mainly localized in heterochromatic regions of metaphase chromosomes. Moreover, these sequences are heavily methylated. This paper presents additional results on variation in endogenous DNA methylation in different developing root segments. The results show that methylation is higher in apical meristematic cells than the differentiating segments; contrastingly, total RNA synthesis seems to be correlated with undermethylation. Addition of labelled methyl groups to DNA by eukaryotic methylase, DNA digestions with different restriction enzymes specific for methylated sites and HPLC analysis confirmed the above results. Moreover, variation in methylation levels during differentiation occur not only at the internal cytosine of the-CCG-sites, but also at external cytosine. Furthermore, methylation affects other sites containing the trinucleotides-CXG-. In conclusion, root differentiation inAllium cepa seems to be correlated with gene activation modulated by the methylation/demethylation of particular DNA sequences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sezione di Genetica, Dipartimento di Biologia delle Piante Agrarie della Universitá, Via Matteotti 1/B, I-56124, Pisa, Italy

    M. Durante

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze Botaniche della Universitá, CNR, Pisa

    M. Frediani & R. Cremonini

  3. Istituto di Mutagenesi e Differenziamento, CNR, Pisa

    L. Mariani, L. Citti & C. Geri

Authors
  1. M. Durante
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  2. M. Frediani
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  3. L. Mariani
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  4. L. Citti
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  5. C. Geri
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  6. R. Cremonini
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Durante, M., Frediani, M., Mariani, L. et al. Differentiation of metaxylem cell line in the root ofAllium cepa L.. Protoplasma 158, 149–154 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01323127

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01323127

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