Role of DNA methylation dynamics for reproductive success
4 years ago
DNA methylation is involved in gene regulation and genome stability in many eukaryotes and it has been shown that DNA demethylation activity is essential for reproduction in plants. We recently identified genes potentially involved in pollen tube guidance that require active DNA demethylation for proper expression and are causative for sterility observed in demethylation mutants. In summary, active DNA demethylation is crucial for the expression of key determinants of male fertility.
We are currently exploring determinants of this epigenetic regulation of reproduction on both, the male and the female side using genetics and (epi)genomic tools and wish to broaden the research project to other plant species and further characterize the male sterility phenotype caused by loss of DNA demethylation in pollen.
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