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Linear transgene constructs lacking vector backbone sequences generate transgenic rice plants which accumulate higher levels of proteins conferring insect resistance

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Angharad MR GatehouseORCiD

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Abstract

Biolistic transformation was used to introduce genes encoding the insecticidal proteins snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin; GNA) and cry 1Ac Bt toxin (δ-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis) into elite rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars. Plant transformation was carried out in parallel experiments simultaneously by using either whole plasmids containing suitable gene constructs, or the corresponding minimal gene cassettes, which were linear DNA fragments lacking vector sequences excised from the plasmids. Both transformation methods generated similar numbers of independent transformation events. Selected R0 clonal plant lines were further characterised for presence and expression of transgenes. Co-transformation of the unselected genes (cry1Ac and gna) with the selectable marker (hpt) was at least as efficient for transformation with minimal gene cassettes as with whole plasmid DNA, and higher levels of accumulation of the insecticidal gene products GNA and cry1Ac were observed in plants resulting from minimal gene cassette transformation. Insect bioassays with major pests of rice showed that transgenic plants expressing gna showed enhanced resistance to brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens), and plants expressing cry1Ac were protected against attack by striped stem borer (Chilo suppressalis). Expression of both transgenes gave protection against both pests, but did not increase protection against either pest significantly over the levels observed in plants containing a single insecticidal transgene.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Thi Loc N, Tinjuangjun P, Gatehouse AMR, Christou P, Gatehouse JA

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Molecular Breeding

Year: 2002

Volume: 9

Issue: 4

Pages: 231-244

Print publication date: 01/01/2002

ISSN (print): 1380-3743

ISSN (electronic): 1572-9788

Publisher: Springer Netherlands

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1020333210563

DOI: 10.1023/A:1020333210563

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