The Itemization of Variations in the Tassel-Ear Mutant and Wild Maize (Zea mays L.) Plants: II. Changes in Epigenetic Gene Profile

Many mutations and phenotypic variations, which often fail to be explained by nucleotide changes with hereditary consequences, are supported by epigenetic analysis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate epigenetic changes in Wild and Mutant maize samples. This study is divided into two main experiments. The first experiment is transcriptome analysis of Wild and Mutant ear and tassel and screening of the gene clusters for epigenetic functions. Followed by the second experiment, where confirmation of the up- and down-regulated selected genes was performed in the studied samples. In the second experiment, a few new mutant plants are also added for comparative analysis. The data revealed that many genes histone modification, DNA methylation, ABC transporter and genes for seed maturation and pollen physiology exhibited up or down regulation in comparison to Wild samples. The probable role of these genes in the mutation of tassel-ear and mutant tassel is discussed.