Sex- and season-dependent differences in telomere length and telomerase activity in the leaves of ash and willow.
Telomeres and telomerase have important biological functions and can protect chromosome ends. In this study, sex- and season-dependent changes in telomere length and telomerase activity in ash and willow were analyzed. A statistical analysis showed that the telomere lengths of male and female trees differed significantly (P < 0.05). In ash, the telomere lengths of female trees were shorter than those of male trees. In willow, the telomere lengths of female trees were longer than those of male trees. During the annual developmental cycle, the telomere lengths of male and female ash and willow increased from April to May (P < 0.05), remained stable from May to August (P > 0.05), and decreased significantly in September and October (P < 0.05). Additionally, telomerase activities could be detected in both male and female ash and willow trees from April to October. Our results show that the telomere lengths changed according to season and sex in ash and willow. Telomere length did not have a direct positive correlation with telomerase activity.
College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China.
Ying
Y
Mu
College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China.
Lan-Fang
LF
Ren
College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China.
Zhi-Li
ZL
Xun
College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China.
Dan-Dan
DD
Zhang
College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China.
Han
H
Song
College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China.
Hai
H
Lu
College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China.
Feng-Lan
FL
Li
College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China.
Di
D
Liu
Ash; Season-specific; Sex-specific; Telomerase activity; Telomere length; Willow