Mel&Rsquo;Nyk V.М., Andreev I.O., Spiridonova K.V., Strashniuk N.M., Kunakh V.A.

18S-25S rDNA variation in tissue culture of some Gentiana L. species

Cytology and Genetics 2007, v 41, number 2, 19-23

18S-25S rDNA of intact plants and tissue cultures of G. acaulis, G. punctata and G. lutea have been investigated by using blot-hybridization. The decrease of rDNA amount was found in the callus cultures as compared with the plants. In contrast to other species, G.lutea showed intragenome heterogeneity of rRNA genes as well as qualitative rDNA changes in tissue culture, appearance of altered repeats. The relationship between the peculiarities of rRNA gene structure and their rearrangements in in vitro culture was suggested.

Key words: 18S-25S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), blot-hybridization, genome variability, Gentiana L., plant tissue culture