Effect of cryopreservation on the development and DNA methylation patterns of Arabidopsis thaliana

Seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana were used to assess its recovery ability, DNA methylation alteration and exchanges after cryopreservation. The survival rate and the level of DNA methylation were evaluated after pre-treatment (loading and cryoprotection), unloading and recovery from cryopreservation of the plants. Over 98% of the plants were survived after pre-treatment and unloading without cryostorage in liquid nitrogen, whereas the survival rate decreased to 93.8% after pre-treatment, cryostorage and then unloading. The results suggest that cryostorage and cryopreservation of seedlings obviously impact on the change of levels in the DNA methylation determined by methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism technique in Arabidopsis. [Life Science Journal. 2009; 6(1): 55 – 60] (ISSN: 1097 – 8135).