Determination of genomic instability and DNA methylation effects of Cr on maize (Zea mays L.) using RAPD and CRED-RA analysis

In this research, we aimed to evaluate DNA damage levels, DNA methylation, protein and phytohormone levels changes in corn (Zea mays L.) seedlings exposed to chromium nitrate (Cr). The results showed that the used all chromium doses caused a decreasing mitotic index, genomic template stability and soluble protein levels and increasing in RAPDs profile changes (DNA damage) and DNA hypermethylation. In additional, in the high-pressure liquid chromatography analyses, it was also observed that Cr contamination caused a decreasing in the growth-promoting hormones including gibberellic acid (GA), zeatin (ZA) and indole acetic acid (IAA) levels, in contrast to abscisic acid (ABA) level. The results of this experiment have clearly shown that Cr has epigenetic effect as well as genotoxic effect. Some of phytohormones decreasing (GA, ZA and IAA) and especially increasing of ABA levels under Cr stress may be a part of the defense system against the stress.