Epigenetic Integrity of Orthodox Seeds Stored under Conventional and Cryogenic Conditions

Plitta-Michalak, Beata P.; Naskręt-Barciszewska, Mirosława Z.; Barciszewski, Jan; Chmielarz, Paweł; Michalak, Marcin

doi:10.3390/f12030288

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Epigenetic Integrity of Orthodox Seeds Stored under Conventional and Cryogenic Conditions

Beata P. Plitta-Michalak

^1,2,*,

Mirosława Z. Naskręt-Barciszewska

³,

Jan Barciszewski

^3,4

Paweł Chmielarz

and

Marcin Michalak

^1,2,*

Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, M Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-721 Olsztyn, Poland

Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Parkowa 5, 62-035 Kórnik, Poland

Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznań, Poland

⁴

NanoBioMedical Centre, Adam Mickiewicz University, Wszechnicy Piastowskiej 3, 61-614 Poznań, Poland

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Academic Editor: Stéphane Maury

Forests 2021, 12(3), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12030288

Received: 27 January 2021 / Revised: 22 February 2021 / Accepted: 24 February 2021 / Published: 3 March 2021

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management—Trends and Perspectives)

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Abstract

The level of 5-methylcytosine (m⁵C) in DNA has been observed to change in plants in response to biotic and abiotic stress factors. Little information has been reported on alterations in DNA methylation in orthodox tree seeds in response to storage conditions. In the current study, epigenetic integrity was analyzed in seeds of Pyrus communis L. in response to conventional and cryogenic storage. The results indicate that conventional storage under optimal conditions resulted in a significant increase in m⁵C. In contrast, a decrease in m⁵C level after cryostorage at high water content (WC) was observed, not only in seeds but also in 3-month-old seedlings which were smaller than seedlings obtained from seeds cryostored at optimal WC. This shows that non-optimal cryostorage conditions increase epigenetic instability in seeds and seedlings. Optimal procedures for germplasm conservation are very important for germplasm banking since they have serious implications for the quality of stored collections. Maintaining epigenetic integrity during WC adjustment and optimal storage is a characteristic feature of orthodox seeds. The current results underline the importance of proper protocols and techniques for conventional storage and particularly cryopreservation as a method for conservation of true-to-type germplasm for long periods. View Full-Text

Keywords: conventional storage; cryopreservation; desiccation; DNA methylation; epigenetic integrity; liquid nitrogen; seed viability

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MDPI and ACS Style

Plitta-Michalak, B.P.; Naskręt-Barciszewska, M.Z.; Barciszewski, J.; Chmielarz, P.; Michalak, M. Epigenetic Integrity of Orthodox Seeds Stored under Conventional and Cryogenic Conditions. Forests 2021, 12, 288. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12030288

AMA Style

Plitta-Michalak BP, Naskręt-Barciszewska MZ, Barciszewski J, Chmielarz P, Michalak M. Epigenetic Integrity of Orthodox Seeds Stored under Conventional and Cryogenic Conditions. Forests. 2021; 12(3):288. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12030288

Chicago/Turabian Style

Plitta-Michalak, Beata P., Mirosława Z. Naskręt-Barciszewska, Jan Barciszewski, Paweł Chmielarz, and Marcin Michalak. 2021. "Epigenetic Integrity of Orthodox Seeds Stored under Conventional and Cryogenic Conditions" Forests 12, no. 3: 288. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12030288

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Epigenetic Integrity of Orthodox Seeds Stored under Conventional and Cryogenic Conditions

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