Reliable level of maize genome polymorphism: Genome structure or expression

Abstract

As biological functions in differentiated cells, except for cell division are expressed at the chromatin level, it is very important to collect more information on the actual level of polymorphism in order to understand biological processes better, including the genetic background of the heterotic effect in different genome combinations. Maize is paleotetraploid and many genes may be present in two or more copies, may be redundant or may have evolved divergent functions. Methylation could have an important role in this process and in this study methylation site polymorphism of the maize genome has been investigated. Within the scope of the heterosis phenomena investigation, two experimental approaches have been followed: (i) existing genome interaction by analysis of total soluble protein complex in parental inbreeds and its hybrid combination different times after pollination and (ii) the use of maize transgenic plants, obtained by NPT II marker gene integration. Transgenic hybrids expressed changes in izoenzyme pattern induced by bacterial gene integration in original inbred line. The bacterial gene also induced heritable shortening of the period of plant development before flowering.