Differential DNA methylation and gene expression during development of reproductive and vegetative organs in Ilex species.

摘要: Differential epigenetic (DNA cytosine methylation) and gene expression patterns were investigated in reproductive vegetative organs from Ilex paraguariensis I. dumosa, at distinct developmental stages. We aimed contributing towards elucidating major molecular changes underlying the sexual differentiation processes which, these dioecious species, are completely unknown. Simultaneously, as a first step development of an early sexing system, we searched for promising markers. This was assessed through Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism (MSAP) Fragment Length on cDNA (cDNA-AFLP) techniques, applying discriminant multivariate analyses, bioinformatic characterization differential fragments. A significant positive correlation found between indirect 'genetic' information both indicating influence genetic background variation. Higher than diversities estimated. Our outcomes showed up to 1.86 times more representation mCG subepiloci mCCG all sampled. Along maturing stages floral buds, frequency evidenced incremental trend, whereas unmethylated conditions opposite tendencies. Reproductive samples tended cluster apart based patterns; level, exhibited clear-cut distinctive patterns, nonetheless profiles young leaves primordia resemble. Epigenetic data allowed discrimination dumosa´s according gender donor; elusive observed paraguariensis. In total, 102 differentially methylated expressed fragments characterized bioinformatically. Forty-three annotated various functional categories; four candidate markers validated qPCR, finding statistical differences among but not sexes. The methylation condition epilocus C13m33 appears indicative species. Thirty-three organ-specific 34 gender-specific discriminated deserve further research, particularly those leaves. study contributes concrete with potential practical application.