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Somatic embryo development in carrot is associated with an increase in levels of S‐adenosylmethionine, S‐adenosylhomocysteine and DNA methylation
Author(s) -
Munksgaard Dorte,
Mattsson Ole,
Okkels Finn Thyge
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1034/j.1399-3054.1995.930102.x
Subject(s) - somatic embryogenesis , embryo , embryogenesis , somatic cell , biology , methylation , dna methylation , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , genetics , andrology , gene expression , medicine
Almost homogeneous populations representing different developmental stages of somatic embryos (globular, torpedo‐shaped, plantlets) and vacuolated cells were obtained from a cell suspension culture of carrot. The concentrations of S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM), S‐adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and methylated DNA were determined in embryos at different developmental stages and were found to increase during somatic embryogenesis. The highest increase during embryogenesis was a 5‐fold increase in the level of SAM. A considerable increase in the methylation index (SAM/SAH ratio) was also found. We propose that the levels of SAM and SAH may be involved in the control of somatic embryogenesis by affecting the level of DNA methylation, which in turn might cause differential changes in gene activation. An increase in the level of SAM may be a prerequisite for progression of embryogenesis and the development of complete embryos.