DNA modification of a maize transposable element correlates with loss of activity

• Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 1986-03, Vol.83 (6), p.1767-1771
• Main Authors: Chandler, V.L, Walbot, V
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 5-Methylcytosine; ADN; Alleles; Anthocyanins - genetics; Biological and medical sciences; Bronzes; Chromosomes; Corn; Cytosine - analogs & derivatives; Cytosine - analysis; DNA; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases - metabolism; DNA - analysis; DNA probes; DNA Restriction Enzymes; DNA Transposable Elements; Enzymes; FENOTIPOS; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; GENE; GENES; Genetic mutation; GENETICA; GENETICS; GENETIQUE; Methylation; Molecular and cellular biology; Molecular genetics; Mutagenesis. Repair; MUTANT; MUTANTES; MUTANTS; PHENOTYPE; PHENOTYPES; Plant Proteins - metabolism; Transposons; ZEA MAYS; Zea mays - genetics; Zea mays - metabolism
• ISSN: 0027-8424; 1091-6490
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.83.6.1767

An unstable allele of the bronze 2 (bz2) locus was isolated from a Robertson's Mutator Zea mays line containing a family of active transposable Mu elements. This mutation is somatically unstable, resulting in numerous revertant purple sectors on a bronze kernel. By following the variegated kernel phenotype through two generations, several lineages have been identified that have a distorted transmission of the mutant phenotype (fewer variegated kernels are produced than expected). Southern blot analysis of Mu elements in these plants demonstrates a correlation between an inhibition of digestion of Mu elements by certain restriction enzymes and the loss of somatic reversion at the mutant allele. The DNA modification can occur in all the Mu elements in a plant within one generation; however, plants have been identified that contain both modified and unmodified elements, suggesting that the modification can occur in a progressive manner. We hypothesize that the DNA modification results in nonfunctional elements.