Chronic radiation exposure as an ecological factor: Hypermethylation and genetic differentiation in irradiated Scots pine populations

Environ Pollut. 2018 Jan:232:105-112. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.08.123. Epub 2017 Sep 19.

Abstract

Genetic and epigenetic changes were investigated in chronically irradiated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) populations from territories that were heavily contaminated by radionuclides as result of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident. In comparison to the reference site, the genetic diversity revealed by electrophoretic mobility of AFLPs was found to be significantly higher at the radioactively contaminated areas. In addition, the genome of pine trees was significantly hypermethylated at 4 of the 7 affected sites.

Keywords: Chernobyl accident; Conifers; Genetic diversity; Genome-wide methylation; Radiation exposure.

MeSH terms

  • Chernobyl Nuclear Accident*
  • DNA Methylation
  • Genetic Variation / radiation effects*
  • Pinus
  • Pinus sylvestris / radiation effects*
  • Radiation Exposure / analysis*
  • Radiation Monitoring*