5-azacytidine induces chromosome fragmentation in the root tips of wheat carrying the gametocidal chromosome 2C

The gametocidal chromosome 2C from Aegilops cylindrica was used to analyze the relationship between methylation and gametocidal action. The root tips of wheat carrying the gametocidal chromosome 2C were treated by the hypomethylation agent 5-azacytine (5-AC) in 50μM concentration. The chromosome breakages and micronucleus were observed in these root tips. The results suggest that 5-AC treatment specifically induced chromosome breakage, furthermore, the DNA methylation protected the fragmentation-inhibitor function or suppress the fragmentation-inducer function of gametocidal chromosome 2C, so that repress chromosome breakage induced by the Gc factors during early seed development.