Inter-species grafting caused extensive and heritable alterations of DNA methylation in Solanaceae plants.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Grafting has been extensively used to enhance the performance of horticultural crops. Since Charles Darwin coined the term "graft hybrid" meaning that asexual combination of different plant species may generate products that are genetically distinct, highly discrepant opinions exist supporting or against the concept. Recent studies have documented that grafting enables exchanges of both RNA and DNA molecules between the grafting partners, thus providing a molecular basis for grafting-induced genetic variation. DNA methylation is known as prone to alterations as a result of perturbation of internal and external conditions. Given characteristics of grafting, it is interesting to test whether the process may cause an alteration of this epigenetic marker in the grafted organ

SUBMITTER: Wu R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3628911 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature