DNA Methylation—An Epigenetic Mark in Mutagen-Treated <i>Brachypodium distachyon</i> Cells

• Main Authors: Adrianna Wiktoria Bara, Agnieszka Braszewska, Jolanta Kwasniewska
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: Plants
• Subjects: <i>Brachypodium</i>; DNA methylation; maleic hydrazide; micronuclei; N-nitroso-N-methylurea
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/7/1408

The chromatin structure is significantly influenced by some epigenetic modifications including DNA methylation. The nuclear organization plays an essential role in the cell response to external stresses including mutagens. We present an analysis of the correlation between epigenetic modifications and the instability of the <i>Brachypodium distachyon</i> genome, which are observed as micronuclei, following maleic hydrazide (MH) and nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU) treatments. We compared the level of DNA methylation in the control (untreated) and mutagen-treated <i>B. distachyon</i> nuclei. An immunostaining method using specific antibodies against modified DNA anti-5-methylcytosine was used for the evaluation of DNA methylation in a single nucleus and micronucleus. Interestingly, we showed an alteration of DNA methylation in cells after mutagenic treatments. The results indicate that DNA methylation might be involved in the response of the <i>B. distachyon</i> genome to mutagenic treatments. This demonstrates that analyses of the epigenetic modifications should be integrated into current plant genetic toxicology in order to explain the mechanisms of DNA damage and repair in plants.