Comparison of DNA Methylation and Changes in the Expression of Certain Cadmium-induced Genes in Bread Wheat Exposed to Cadmium (Cd) Accumulation in Soil

As a result of natural phenomena and anthropogenic activities, cadmium (Cd) accumulation in the soil has been increasing in recent years, and plants are directly exposed to this heavy metal, which is not essential for their life. In our study, UGT-3 (UDP-Glycosyltransferase-3), LTP-4 (Lipid Transfer Protein-4), Plasma Membrane PIP-1 (Plasma Membrane Protein-1) genes were investigated in Triticum aestivum L. plants exposed to Cd stress. It was aimed to determine the changes in expression levels in these genes and their methylation percentages for the first time using Real-Time PCR-based quantitative DNA methylation analysis (qAMP). In this context, DNA and RNA were isolated from the roots and stems of wheat grown by exposure to control, 100, 250 and 500 µM CdCl2 doses. Then, gene expression levels were determined by gene expression analysis with cDNAs obtained from RNA samples. DNA methylation percentages were determined by applying the qAMP technique. As a result, it was observed that the highest methylation percentage in the UGT-3, LTP-4 and PIP-1 genes was at 250 µM concentration in both the stem and the root. While the expression level of the UGT-3 gene was highest at a concentration of 250 µM in the stem, overexpression of the LTP-4 gene was observed at a concentration of 250 µM in the root changes in the methylation rates of UGT-3, LTP-4 and PIP-1 genes were investigated for the first time with qAMP, a new technique used in plants. A significant relationship was found out between the expression levels and methylation status of genes