RT Journal Article
T1 DNA demethylation by transitory 5-azacytidine treatment improves somatic embryogenesis yield for regeneration and breeding of cork oak
A1 Carneros, Elena
A1 Solís González, María Teresa
A1 Testillano, Pilar
A1 Pérez-Pérez, Yolanda
A1 Díaz-Luzza, Esteban
AB Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a crucial biotechnological tool for large-scale mass propagation of selected material, genetic transformation and breeding, with many advantages for forest tree improvement. However, the application of SE in forest species is limited because of their recalcitrance. SE is also a valuable system for studying cell reprogramming, acquisition of totipotency and embryo development. Increasing evidence reveals that epigenetic reprogramming takes place during SE through DNA methylation, although there is scarce information on forest species. In this work, we have evaluated DNA methylation dynamics during SE and the effects of the DNA demethylating agent 5-azacytidine (AzaC) in cork oak. After induction and early stages of SE, a reduced DNA methylation level is observed, followed by an increase of methylation during embryo differentiation. These changes in DNA methylation during SE progression were associated with expression profiles of DNA methyltransferase genes QsMET1, QsDRM2 and QsCMT3, and DNA demethylase QsDME-like. Treatment with AzaC reduced DNA methylation, promoted SE induction rate and proembryogenic masses proliferation, and induced the expression of the SE marker gene QsSERK1-like. However, continuous AzaC treatment hindered embryo differentiation, suggesting that DNA methylation is needed for further embryo development. Interestingly, AzaC removal from the culture medium of embryogenic masses restored embryo development and led to a significant increase in somatic embryo production compared with untreated cultures. These findings open new possibilities using transitory treatments with small molecule epigenetic modulators, as AzaC, to enhance SE yields for forestry breeding programs.
PB Wiley 
SN 0031-9317
YR 2023
FD 2023
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/99982
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/99982
LA eng
NO Carneros, Elena, et al. «DNA Demethylation by Transitory 5‐azacytidine Treatment Improves Somatic Embryogenesis Yield for Regeneration and Breeding of Cork Oak». Physiologia Plantarum, vol. 176, n.o 1, enero de 2024, p. e14143. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.14143.
NO This research was funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 [grant number PID2020-113018RB-I00], and MCIN/AEI/10. 13039/501100011033 and NextGenerationEU/PRTR [grant numbers TED2021-129633B-I00 and CPP2021-008750]
NO European Commission
NO Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 8 abr 2025