Generation of epigenetic variability in the potato cultivar Spunta using azacitidine as a demethylating agent

CORNEJO P.; R. MASUELLI; CASTELLANO P.L.

Congreso; IPMB 2015 South America, 11th International Congress of Plant Molecular Biology.; 2015

Changes in DNA sequences are not the only responsible for the observed variability, epigenetic changes as DNA methylation alters chromatin structure and gene expression. Established varieties of potato (Solanum tuberosum) are genotypes that have a narrow genetic base, making progress in potato improving slow and often accompanied by deterioration of characters. Modify the methylation pattern of potato cultivars commercially important as Spunta, is an alternative to generate epigenetic variability useful for potato breeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of demethylating AzaC (azacitidine) on the generation of new epigenetic variation in cultivated potato clones and its effect on morphological and productive traits. From potato clones of the variety Spunta (in vitro) uninodal stakes were obtained which were differentially treated with the demethylating agent AzaC. From these stakes plants were regenerated, overall methylation status was analyzed by MSAP (Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism) technique. Morphological measurements of qualitative and quantitative characters were performed in leaf and tuber. Preliminary results show changes in methylation patterns of clones treated with AzaC compared to controls and phenotypic variation were observed. This will be an important contribution to the development of new tools for crop improvement.