SIGNATURE WORK
CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION 2024

This signature work project aims to explore the DNA methylation level alternation with corresponding gene expression level regulations after treating the model organism Arabidopsis. thaliana with lead (Pb) stress. By testing target mutants under Pb(NO3)2 stress, an SPT5L/KTF1 knockout mutant with significant Pb resistance phenotype was identified. Quantitative comparison and analysis of the phenotypic change show that SPT5L/KTF1 knockout mutant has two times heavier fresh weight and two times longer roots compared to the wild type. ICP-MS testing of the Pb content of roots and shoot samples indicates that SPT5L-mutant plants have a stronger capacity for Pb accumulation compared to wild-type plants. Through bioinformatic analysis of RNA sequencing and Bisulfite sequencing of the mutant under three time points of Pb treatment, a list of Pb-detoxification genes with an above two-fold increase of post-transcriptional level with corresponding decreased methylation level was generated. These results lead to the conclusion that SPT5L/KTF1 knockout decreased DNA methylation level on Pb-detoxification genes which increased their expression results in Pb resistant phenotype of SPT5L/KTF1 knockout mutant.