Isolation and characterization of a maintenance DNA‐methyltransferase gene from peach (Prunus persica [L.] Batsch): transcript localization in vegetative and reproductive meristems of triple buds

• Published in: Journal of experimental botany Vol. 54; no. 393; pp. 2623 - 2633
• Main Authors: Giannino, Donato, Mele, Giovanni, Cozza, Radiana, Bruno, Leonardo, Testone, Giulio, Ticconi, Carla, Frugis, Giovanna, Bitonti, Maria Beatrice, Innocenti, Anna Maria, Mariotti, Domenico
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01-12-2003; OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animals; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; Classical and quantitative genetics. Population genetics. Molecular genetics; Complementary DNA; DNA; DNA methylase expression; DNA Modification Methylases - genetics; DNA Primers; Economic plant physiology; Flower buds; Flowers - enzymology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic - genetics; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant - genetics; Generalities. Genetics. Plant material; Genes. Genome; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; Genomics; Growth and development; Humans; Introns; Key words: Buds with distinct fates; Meristem - enzymology; Meristem - genetics; Meristems; MET1 gene; Methylation; Molecular and cellular biology; Molecular genetics; Morphogenesis, differentiation, rhizogenesis, tuberization. Senescence; peach; Plant growth. Development of the storage organs; Plant physiology and development; Plant Shoots - enzymology; Plants; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prunus - enzymology; Prunus - genetics; Prunus persica; Research Papers: Cell and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Physiology; Restriction Mapping; RNA; Transcription, Genetic - genetics; Vegetative apparatus, growth and morphogenesis. Senescence; Enzyme; Transferases; Rosaceae; Flower bud; peach; Plant leaf; DNA methylase expression; Maintenance; Prunus persica; Buds with distinct fates; Meristem; Bud; Characterization; Messenger RNA; Methyltransferases; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Isolation; Spermatophyta; Fruit tree; Localization; Methylation
• ISSN: 0022-0957; 1460-2431; 1460-2431
• DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erg292

A cDNA coding for a DNA (cytosine‐5)‐methyltransferase (METase) was isolated from peach (Prunus persica [L.] Batsch) and the corresponding gene designated as PpMETI. The latter encoded a predicted polypeptide of 1564 amino acid residues and harboured all the functional domains conserved in the maintenance METases group type I. PpMETI was a single copy in the cultivar Chiripa which was used as a model in the present study. Expression analyses revealed that PpMETI transcripts were more abundant in tissues with actively proliferating cells such as apical tips, uncurled leaves, elongating herbaceous stems, and small immature fruits. Peach plants bear bud clusters (triads or triple buds), consisting of two lateral and one central bud with floral and vegetative fates, respectively. PpMETI in situ hybridization was performed in triple buds during their entire developmental cycle. High and low levels of PpMETI transcript were related to burst and quiescence of vegetative growth, respectively. Message localization distinguished lateral from central buds during the meristem switch to the floral phase. In fact, the PpMETI message was abundant in the L1 layer of protruding domes, a morphological trait marking the beginning of floral transition. The PpMETI transcript was also monitored during organ flower formation. Altogether, these data suggest a relationship between DNA replication and PpMETI gene expression.