Histone Modification in Common Bean is Induced by Higher Concentrations of Fe and Zn

The two important eukaryotic epigenetic mechanisms are modifications of nucleotide bases and the modification in the DNA packaging into nucleosomes identified by the differential modification of the constituent histone proteins. The nucleosome is the smallest subunit of chromatin and consists of DNA wrapped around an octamer of core histone proteins, Histone H2A, Histone H2B, Histone H3, and and Histone H4. Chromatin is subject to a variety of chemical changes which are influenced by different environmental stimuli including micronutrient content. These changes are associated with the modification of histone proteins such as methylation and acetylation. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) followed by histone specific antibody captured DNA analysis provide an opportunity to identify any epigenetic changes in the genome. In this work, we applied higher concentration of Fe and Zn to common bean genotypes and isolated chromatins from treated and non-treated stems and pods. Using ChIP technology and histone 3 and histone 4 modifications specific antibodies, we eluted histone bound DNA from stem and pods. The eluted DNA was amplified using histone proteins modification specific PCR primer. We are in the process of sequencing amplified products of treated and non-treated stems and pods. Analyses of amplified products of treated and non-treated stem and pod samples will provide an insight to the epigenetic changes related to higher concentration of Fe and Zn in common bean.