Salt stress induced variation in DNA methylation pattern and its influence on gene expression in contrasting rice genotypes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Salinity is a major environmental factor limiting productivity of crop plants including rice in which wide range of natural variability exists. Although recent evidences implicate epigenetic mechanisms for modulating the gene expression in plants under environmental stresses, epigenetic changes and their functional consequences under salinity stress in rice are underexplored. DNA methylation is one of the epigenetic mechanisms regulating gene expression in plant's responses to environmental stresses. Better understanding of epigenetic regulation of plant growth and response to environmental stresses may create novel heritable variation for crop improvement.

Methodology/principal findings

Methylation sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) technique was used to

SUBMITTER: Karan R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3386172 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature