Comparative analysis of the COMET, FISH, and TUNEL methods for assessing DNA damage in plants under abiotic and biotic stresses

Abstract

Research that investigates plant DNA damage caused by various stress factors represents an important area of modern molecular biology and genetics. In recent decades, there has been active development of methods that allow for detailed analysis of molecular responses in plants to abiotic and biotic stresses, significantly deepening our understanding of the mechanisms underlying their adaptation to adverse conditions. One of the key aspects of such studies is the assessment of damage to genetic material, which plays an important role in disrupting the normal functioning of plant cells and tissues. Special attention is paid to the combined effects of stress factors such as high fever and viral infections, such as Tobacco bushy stunt virus (TBSV) infection, which can significantly disrupt DNA integrity and normal cellular processes. This, in turn, can lead to changes in the activity of key genes, DNA repair, as well as effects on the physiological and morphological characteristics of plants. In this article, we examined three methods that are actively used to assess DNA damage under combined stress conditions: the COMET, TUNEL and FISH. These methods allow for a comprehensive analysis of DNA damage, as well as to investigate their relationship to physiological and cellular changes in plants exposed to viral and temperature stress. The purpose of this study is to explore the prospects of using the COMET, FISH, and TUNEL assay methods to assess the level of damage to plant DNA caused by abiotic and biotic stress. The research is aimed at analyzing their effectiveness, as well as identifying advantages and limitations when working with plant objects.