The cotton methylation gene map is first painted to cultivate new varieties without changing the genes.

release time：2019-08-05

Cotton "methylation map" was first painted Science and Technology Daily, Beijing, May 31st, the "Menbiology" magazine published on May 30th published an important research result of the cooperation between Chinese and American scientists: they first mapped out the methylation gene map of cotton epigenetic genes. ", that is, the difference of more than 500 epigenetic genes between wild cotton and cotton planting, provides important clues for biotechnology companies to produce high-yield and high-quality cotton through apparent modification breeding. For decades, scientists have discovered that the apparent characteristics of many plants and animals can be regulated either by genetic methods based on DNA sequence changes or by hereditary modifications using epigenetic methods that do not alter DNA sequences. These research results have opened up a new path for animal and plant breeding, especially the use of epigenetic technology, without the need to change the genes, can create new varieties, can avoid people's doubts and debates on GM technology. In the latest study, Professor Zhang Tianzhen from Nanjing Agricultural University collaborated with the research team of Jeffrey Chen of the University of Texas to identify more than 500 DNA methylation processes by comparing US upland cotton with wild cotton. A list of related gene switches to map out the "methylation map of the cotton". DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification process. The new map information can provide epigenetic changes in cotton during more than 1 million years of evolution, helping researchers to breed new varieties with some new features. Increase cotton yield and improve its drought resistance, heat resistance or insect resistance. The researchers found that a methylation gene in wild cotton can prevent cotton from flowering, and the gene in cotton planting has been demethylated, leading to the transformation of cotton from tropical plants to “homes” in most parts of the world. For adaptive crops, this key mutation is not genetic variation, but epigenetic variation. They said that with reference to this latest "methylation map", breeders can genetically methylate them by chemical methods or CRISPR-Cas9 to target improved varieties. The same method can be used for wheat and coffee. Breeding of major crops such as potatoes and corn.