Ronemus M J, Galbiati M, Ticknor C, Chen J, Dellaporta S L
Department of Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8104, USA.
Science. 1996 Aug 2;273(5275):654-7. doi: 10.1126/science.273.5275.654.
The function of DNA methylation in higher plants was investigated by expression of a complementary DNA encoding a cytosine methyltransferase (MET1) from Arabidopsis thaliana as an antisense RNA in transgenic plants. This expression resulted in a 34 to 71 percent reduction in total genomic cytosine methylation. Loss of methylation was observed in both repetitive DNA and single-copy gene sequences. Developmental effects included altered heterochrony, changes in meristem identity and organ number, and female sterility. Cytosine demethylation prolonged both vegetative and reproductive phases of development. These findings implicate DNA methylation in establishing or maintaining epigenetic developmental states in the meristem.
通过在转基因植物中表达拟南芥胞嘧啶甲基转移酶（MET1）的互补DNA作为反义RNA，研究了高等植物中DNA甲基化的功能。这种表达导致总基因组胞嘧啶甲基化降低了34%至71%。在重复DNA和单拷贝基因序列中均观察到甲基化缺失。发育效应包括异时性改变、分生组织特性和器官数量变化以及雌性不育。胞嘧啶去甲基化延长了营养生长和生殖发育阶段。这些发现表明DNA甲基化在分生组织中建立或维持表观遗传发育状态中起作用。
