ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Effects of Lead Sulfate on Genetic
and Epigenetic Changes, and Endogenous
Hormone Levels in Corn (Zea mays L.)
Filiz Aygun Erturk1, Guleray Agar2, Esra Arslan2,
Gokce Nardemir3, Murat Aydin4, M. Sinan Taspinar5
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1Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Avrasya University, Trabzon, Turkey
2Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ataturk University, Erzurum 25240, Turkey
3Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Agri İbrahim Cecen University, Agri, Turkey
4Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
5Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
Submission date: 2014-03-23
Final revision date: 2014-05-23
Acceptance date: 2014-07-08
Publication date: 2014-12-16
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2014;23(6):1925-1932
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ABSTRACT
In this research we aimed to evaluate DNA damage levels, DNA methylation, and protein and pytohormone
level changes in corn seedlings (Zea mays L.) exposed to 5, 10, 20, and 40 mM concentrations of lead
sulfate solution (PbSO4). The results showed that all concentrations of the test material caused a decreasing
mitotic index, genomic template stability (GTS), and soluble protein levels, but increased RAPDs profile
changes (DNA damage) and DNA hypermethylation. Moreover, in the HPLC (high-pressure liquid chromatography)
analyses, it was also observed that Pb contamination caused a decrease in the growth-promoting
hormones including gibberellic acid (GA), zeatin (ZA), and indole acetic acid (IAA) levels, in contrast to
increasing the absisic acid (ABA) level. The results of this experiment have clearly shown that Pb has a significant
impact on the epigenetic mechanisms as well as its genotoxic effects. Some of phytohormone decreases
(GA, ZA and IAA) and especially increasing ABA levels under Pb stress may be a part of the defense system
against stress.