ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Changes in the Methyl Status of Cytosine in Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Sites of the CSY1 Gene Promoter in Corn Leaves under Irradiation with Light of Different Wavelength

Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the CSY1 citrate synthase gene promoter allowed us to establish the presence of a CpG island, as well as the distribution of symmetric and asymmetric methylation sites by cytosine. Based on the analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the CSY1 gene promoter, primers for bisulfite sequencing were developed. The results of bisulfite sequencing showed that the main share of methylated cytosines falls on asymmetric CNN sites and is 56% of the total value of this indicator. The lowest value is characteristic of CNG sites, which apparently indicates their insignificant role in the formation of the methyl status of the mitochondrial citrate synthase gene promoter in maize leaves in the light. Changes in methylation of the promoter of the studied gene under different conditions of light irradiation are associated with the redistribution of the methyl status of the cytosine between symmetric (CG and CNG) and within the asymmetric CNN site.