Genetic processes in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in the Chernobyl exclusion zone

植物通过生理和进化适应过程对变化的环境条件作出反应。我们想研究1986年切尔诺贝利事故后暴露在电离辐射引起的剧烈环境变化中的树木的遗传过程。松树(Pinus spp.)在核电站附近被广泛种植，并受到严重辐射。生理适应和表观遗传效应将通过对候选基因和cDNA-AFLP进行DDRT-PCR的基因调控观察，以及通过评估受到不同水平的急性和慢性辐射的松树两个候选基因的甲基化水平和甲基化程度来研究。高辐射水平导致的突变率增加，以及在以高辐射水平为特征的环境中选择有利于特定基因类型，可能会带来进化上的变化。我们将研究事故期间在核电站附近生长的松树、事故发生后在辐射暴露土壤上建立的种植园以及适当的非暴露参照物中的突变和选择。固定性和长寿性的结合使林木成为在分子水平上研究辐射适应的有趣的模式生物。

Plants react to changing environmental conditions by physiological and evolutionary adaptation processes. We want to study genetic processes in trees which have been exposed to drastic environmental change caused by ionising radiation following the Chernobyl accident from 1986. Pines (Pinus spp.) were widely planted close to the nuclear power plant and were heavily radiated. Physiological adaptations and epigenetic effects will be studied by the observation of gene regulation by means of DDRT-PCR of candidate genes and cDNA-AFLPs, and by an assessment of overall methylation levels and the degree of methylation in two candidate genes in pines which have been exposed to different levels of acute and chronic radiation. Evolutionary changes might be brought about by increased mutation rates due to high radiation levels and by selection favouring particular genotypes in environments characterized by high radiation levels. We will study mutation and selection in pine trees which have been growing in the vicinity of the nuclear power plant during the accident, in plantations which were established on radiation exposed soils after the accident, and in appropriate non-exposed reference material. The combination of immobility and longevity makes forest trees interesting model organisms to study adaptation to radiation at the molecular level.