Epigenetic and genetic influences on DNA methylation variation in maize populations

ABSTRACT: DNA methylation is a chromatin modification that is frequently associated with epigenetic regulation in plants and mammals. However, other genetic changes such as transposon insertions also can lead to changes in DNA methylation levels. Genome-wide profiles of DNA methylation levels for 20 maize inbreds were used to discover differentially methylated regions (DMRs). The methylation level for each of these DMRs was also assayed in 31 additional maize genotypes resulting in the discovery of 1,966 common DMRs and 1,754 rare DMRs. Analysis of recombinant inbred lines provides evidence that the majority of DMRs are heritable. A local association scan found that nearly half of the DMRs with common variation are significantly associated with SNPs found within or near the DMR. Many of the DMR

ORGANISM(S): Zea mays

SUBMITTER: Steve Eichten 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-46949 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress