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DNA methylation increases throughout Arabidopsis development

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Abstract

We used amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) to analyze the stability of DNA methylation throughout Arabidopsis development. AFLP can detect genome-wide changes in cytosine methylation produced by DNA demethylation agents, such as 5-azacytidine, or specific mutations at the DDM1 locus. In both cases, cytosine demethylation is associated with a general increase in the presence of amplified fragments. Using this approach, we followed DNA methylation at methylation sensitive restriction sites throughout Arabidopsis development. The results show a progressive DNA methylation trend from cotyledons to vegetative organs to reproductive organs.

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Abbreviations

AFLP :

Amplified fragment length polymorphism

5-azaC :

5-azacytidine

5-mC :

5-methylcytosine

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Acknowledgements

L. Ruiz-Garcia and M.-T. Cervera contributed equally to this work. M.-T. C. was funded by a MEC contract. This research was funded by MCYT Grant# BIO2001-3891-CO2-01.

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  1. M. T. Cervera

    Present address: Genética Forestal. Centro de Investigaciones Forestales, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Carretera de La Coruña Km 7.5, 28040, Madrid, Spain

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Genética Molecular de Plantas, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC. Campus de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain

    L. Ruiz-García, M. T. Cervera & J. M. Martínez-Zapater

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  1. L. Ruiz-García
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  2. M. T. Cervera
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  3. J. M. Martínez-Zapater
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Correspondence to J. M. Martínez-Zapater.

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Ruiz-García, L., Cervera, M.T. & Martínez-Zapater, J.M. DNA methylation increases throughout Arabidopsis development. Planta 222, 301–306 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-005-1524-6

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