5-Azacytidine decreases fragmentation of nuclear DNA and pigment formation in first leaf cells of barley seedlings

Abstract

Realization of programmed cell death in senescence represents an activation/inactivation of the respective gene. Enzymatic methylation of nuclear DNA with the creation of 5methylcytosine is one of the mechanisms, which can regulate gene activity in animal and plant cells. 5Azacytidine (5azaC) acts as an inhibitor of DNA methylation, and induces expression of a range of some genes including genes responsible for senescence. Fragmentation of nuclear DNA is one of the hallmarks of programmed cell death in apoptosis pathway in plant cells. The influence of 5azaC (100 microg/ml) on nuclear DNS amount and its fragmentation in the first leaf cells of barley was studied. It was shown that in the first leaf cells of barley seedlings there is an apoptosis pathway of programmed cell death. It was also observed that nuclear DNA fragmentation under the 5azaC influence is strongly inhibited, and the DNA amount in the first leaf increases. Synthesis and destruction of chlorophyll also play a significant role in programmed cell death in plants. It was shown that under the 5azaC influence, the absorption spectrum of a pigment does not change in leaves and coleoptiles in the light, whereas in the dark condition, these pigments are not created under the 5azaC influence.