Methylation of ribosomal RNA genes inPetunia hybrida plants, callus cultures and regenerated shoots

S Anderson; A C Lewis-Smith; S M Smith

doi:10.1007/BF00820208

Methylation of ribosomal RNA genes inPetunia hybrida plants, callus cultures and regenerated shoots

Plant Cell Rep. 1990 Jan;8(9):554-7. doi: 10.1007/BF00820208.

Authors

S Anderson¹, A C Lewis-Smith, S M Smith

Affiliation

¹ Department of Botany, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Mayfield Road, EH9 3JH, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.

PMID: 24226285
DOI: 10.1007/BF00820208

Abstract

The extent of methylation of the 18S-25S ribosomal RNA genes ofPetunia hybrida has been investigated using methylation-sensitive restriction endonucleases and Southern hybridisation. The genes in leaves, ovaries, petals, stigmas, anthers, and seed are methylated to a similar extent, but those in roots are hypomethylated. Genes in adventitious roots formed from stem cuttings are also hypomethylated. Genes in callus cultures initiated from leaf discs vary widely in the extent of methylation, but the pattern obtained is stable during culture. Callus cells containing hypomethylated genes can give rise to shoots in which the extent of methylation has reverted to that of the original leaf explant. These results demonstrate the striking plasticity of ribosomal RNA gene methylation inPetunia.