Abstract
To understand the epigenetic regulation of gene expression during transdifferentiation of plant cells, using a xylogenic Zinnia cell culture system, in which isolated mesophyll cells transdifferentiate into tracheary elements, we analyzed the dynamics of histone modification during differentiation process. We first found a dynamic change in the level of acetylated histone H3. And then we revealed that TSA, an inhibitor of histone deacetylase, inhibited tracheary element differentiation. The inhibition rate depended on the concentration of TSA and the time when it was supplied to culture. Zinnia gene chip analyses showed that approximately 60 genes for transcription factors were expressed >2-fold more in TSA-treated cells than control 6 hours after the treatment. Based on these results we will discuss about the role of histone acetylation / deacetylation in gene regulation during tracheary element transdifferentiation.
