Comparative Analysis of Genome Wide DNA Methylation Profiles for the Genic Male Sterile Cabbage Line 01-20S and Its Maintainer Line

Methylation modifications play an important role in multiple biological processes. Several studies have reported altered methylation patterns in male sterile plants such as rice and wheat, but little is known about the global methylation profiles and their possible roles in the cabbage (Brassica oleracea) male sterile line. In this study, single-base-resolution bisulfite sequencing (BS-Seq) was adopted to identify the pattern and degree of cytosine methylation in the male sterile line 01-20S and its near-isogenic fertile line 01-20F. Similar methylation patterns were profiled, with some changes observed in local positions. In total, 505 differentially methylated genomic regions (DMRs) and 106 DMR-associated genes were detected. Nine genes related to pollen development were discovered and further validated by a quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Among these, four were downregulated in 01-20S. In particular, Bol039180 (an invertase/pectin methylesterase inhibitor family protein) is likely involved in pectin degradation, and might play an important role in the pollen separation defects of 01-20S. This study facilitates a better understanding of DNA methylation alterations and their possible roles in genic male sterility in cabbages.