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Overexpression of DEMETER, a DNA demethylase, promotes early apical bud maturation in poplar
Author(s) -
Conde Daniel,
MorenoCortés Alicia,
Dervinis Christopher,
RamosSánchez José M.,
Kirst Matias,
Perales Mariano,
GonzálezMelendi Pablo,
Allona Isabel
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/pce.13056
Subject(s) - meristem , biology , dormancy , apical dominance , botany , demethylase , annual growth cycle of grapevines , gene , bud , microbiology and biotechnology , shoot , epigenetics , genetics , germination
The transition from active growth to dormancy is critical for the survival of perennial plants. We identified a DEMETER‐like ( CsDML ) cDNA from a winter‐enriched cDNA subtractive library in chestnut ( Castanea sativa Mill . ), an economically and ecologically important species. Next, we characterized this DNA demethylase and its putative ortholog in the more experimentally tractable hybrid poplar ( Populus tremula × alba ), under the signals that trigger bud dormancy in trees. We performed phylogenetic and protein sequence analysis, gene expression profiling, and 5‐methyl‐cytosine methylation immunodetection studies to evaluate the role of CsDML and its homolog in poplar, PtaDML6. Transgenic hybrid poplars overexpressing CsDML were produced and analysed. Short days and cold temperatures induced CsDML and PtaDML6 . Overexpression of CsDML accelerated short‐day‐induced bud formation, specifically from Stages 1 to 0. Buds acquired a red‐brown coloration earlier than wild‐type plants, alongside with the up‐regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis enzymes and accumulation of flavonoids in the shoot apical meristem and bud scales. Our data show that the CsDML gene induces bud formation needed for the survival of the apical meristem under the harsh conditions of winter.