Segregation of transgenes in maize

Progeny recovered from backcrossed transgenic maize tissue culture regenerants (R₀) were analyzed to determine the segregation, expression, and stability of the introduced genes. Transgenic A188×B73 R₀ plants (regenerated from embryogenic suspension culture cells transformed by microprojectile bombardment; see [9]) were pollinated with nontransformed B73 pollen. Inheritance of a selectable marker gene, bar, and a nonselectable marker gene, uidA, was analyzed in progeny (R₁) representing four independent transformation events. Activity of the bar gene product, phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT), was assessed in plants comprising the four R₁ populations. The number of R₁ plants containing PAT activity per total number of R₁ plants recovered for each population was 2/7, 19/34, 3/14 and 73/73. Molecular analysis confirmed the segregation of bar in three R₁ populations and the lack of segregation in one R₁ population. Cosegregation analysis indicated genetic linkage of bar and uidA in all four R₁ populations. Analysis of numerous R₂ plants derived from crossing transformed R₁ plants with nontransformed inbreds revealed 1:1 segregation of PAT activity in three of four lines, including the line that failed to segregate in the R₁ generation. Integrated copies of bar in one line appeared to be unstable or poorly transmitted.     

Assessment of transgenic maize events produced by particle bombardment or Agrobacterium-mediated transformation

Particle bombardment and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation are two popular methods currently used for producing transgenic maize. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is expected to produce transformants carrying fewer copies of the transgene and a more predictable pattern of integration. These putative advantages, however, tradeoff with transformation efficiency in maize when a standard binary vector transformation system is used. Using Southern, northern, real-time PCR, and real-time RT-PCR techniques, we compared transgene copy numbers and RNA expression levels in R₁ and R₂ generations of transgenic maize events generated using the above two gene delivery methods. Our results demonstrated that the Agrobacterium-derived maize transformants have lower transgene copies, and higher and more stable gene expression than their bombardment-derived counterparts. In addition, we showed that more than 70% of transgenic events produced from Agrobacterium-mediated transformation contained various lengths of the bacterial plasmid backbone DNA sequence, indicating that the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was not as precise as previously perceived, using the current binary vector system.     

Expression of the GUS-gene in the monocot tulip after introduction by particle bombardment and Agrobacterium

Gene transfer to the monocotyledon tulip (Tulipa sp. L.) was obtained both by particle bombardment and Agrobacterium transformation. Using a Particle Delivery System, transient expression of the reporter gene for ßglucuronidase was demonstrated. It was shown that the CAMV 35S as well as the TR2' promoter were active in flower stem expiants. Various wildtype and disarmed Agrobacterium strains, harbouring the 35S GUSintron gene on a binary plasmid, were used for infection of flower stem expiants of 7 cultivars and 7 botanical Tulipa species. In nine genotypes the GUSintron gene was expressed, despite the fact that tulip tissue did not produce detectable amounts of virulence-inducing substances. Agrobacterium rhizogenes appeared to be most effective in gene transfer to tulip tissue.     

Transformation of maize using microprojectile bombardment: An update and perspective

Summary Using microprojectile bombardment of maize suspension cultures and bialaphos selection, transformed embryogenic calli have been recovered in numerous independent experiments. Fertile transgenic plants have been regenerated from several transformed callus lines. Stable inheritance and expression ofbar and functional activity of the enzyme phosphinothricin acetyl transferase were observed in three subsequent generations of transformed plants. Evidence to date indicates that the transformation process and the presence of the foreign gene per se do not detrimentally influence either plant vigor or fertility. This represents a practical method for introducing foreign genes into maize, which may be applicable to other monocot species. Presented in the Session-in-Depth Genetic Transformation and Genetic Analysis Using Microprojectile Bombardment at the Annual Meeting of the Tissue Culture Association, Houston, Texas, June 10–13, 1990.     

Transformation of nuclear and plastomic plant genomes by biolistic particle bombardment

Microprojectile bombardment is a powerful method for the transformation of various organisms and tissues. For plants, the biolistic approach is primarily used for transformation of cereals and other monocotyledons, as well as for dicotyledonous plants shown to be recalcitrant to Agrobacterium-based transformation of organellar genomes, and transformation of plant and algal chloroplasts has recently been reported. In this protocol paper we provide methods for nuclear and plastomic transformation of plants using the biolistic technique.     

Intron-mediated gusA expression in tritordeum and wheat resulting from particle bombardment

The promoterless maize ubiquitin first exon and intron fragment can drive gusA expression in immature tritordeum inflorescences and immature wheat scutella. In fluorescence assays, this fragment induces gusA expression in tritordeum inflorescences to 50 times higher than background. The activity of the complete promoter, exon and intron cassette was up to 20000-fold higher than background but the maize ubiquitin promoter in isolation had very low activity. A construct with the maize alcohol dehydrogenase first exon and intron had low activity, visible in histochemical assays. Both intron sequences have promoter-like features and in the ubiquitin intron there is a sequence homologous to the opaque-2-binding box. We suggest that the combination of these elements may explain the promoter activity detected in these introns.     

Stable transformation of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) by particle bombardment

Summary Stable transformation of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was obtained by particle bombardment of calli (derived from petiole and stem sections cultured for three weeks on SH medium), followed by delayed selection with 50 mg/l kanamycin on BOi2Y medium. Selection at a lower level of kanamycin (25 mg/l) in late stages of culture resulted only in escapes. Analysis of seven transgenic plants revealed that all were derived from one transformation event. Segregation of the neomycin phosphotransferase gene in test cross progeny followed a 11 Mendelian ratio for a single locus insertion in a heterozygous state.     

农杆菌及基因枪在玉米遗传转化中的应用

目前外源基因导入玉米受体细胞的方法很多 ,最受瞩目的是农杆菌介导法和基因枪法。就农杆菌、基因枪转化玉米的基本原理、影响转化率的因素 ,以及近年来在玉米遗传转化中的最新动态进行了综述     

Gene transfer to maize male reproductive structure by particle bombardment of tassel primordia

Summary Maize (Zea mays L.) tassel primordia were used as a target for particle bombardment, to assess the possibility of introducing foreign DNA into male reproductive structures. Transient expression of the -glucuronidase gene (GUS) or anthocyanin marker genes (C1 and B-Peru) driven by the CaMV 35S promoter was obtained in tassel primordia 24h after bombardment. Gold particles coated with DNA reached stamen primordia tissues, which eventually form the anthers and pollen. Bombarded tassels were also cultured in vitro and GUS activity was detected in the vascular tissue of mature anthers that developed within 4 weeks. This new approach represents a preliminary step toward pollen mediated transformation.     

Production of transgenic maize plants and progeny by bombardment of hi-II immature embryos

Summary Production of transgenic maize (Zea mays L.) callus, plants, and progeny from microprojectile bombardment of 2–5-d cultured Hi-II immature embryos is described. Histological evidence indicates that these tissues are amenable to transformation due to surface layer cell division of the scutellum. Two out of every 100 bombarded embryos produced transgenic callus and R₀ transgenic plants were both male and female fertile. Expected segregation of transgenes was observed in progeny. The primary advantage of bombarding these tissues is increased male and female fertility of transgenic plants compared with those produced using long-term callus or suspension cultures.     

Transformation of maize embryogenic calli mediated by ultrasonication and regeneration of fertile transgenic plants

An insecticidal protein gene isolated fromBacillus thuringiensis was transferred into maize by using ultrasonication. The fertile transgenic plants and their progeny were obtained. The Southern hybridization results indicated that the foreign gene had integrated into the maize genome. It has been found that the acoustic intensity and the duration of treatment are the important parameters influencing transformation efficiency by ultrasonication. The maximum relative transformation frequency of 34.1 % was achieved after 30 min of sonication at 0. 5 W/cm² acoustic intensity. With appropriate parameters the ultrasonication can make a number of micropores formed on the cell surface and minimize the treatment damage to the foreign DNA molecules, thus facilitating the DNA molecules to enter the cells. Project supported by “863” State High Technology Development Program.     

Recovery of transgenic orchid plants with hygromycin selection by particle bombardment to protocorms

Protocorms of orchid (Dendrobium hybrid) were transformed by microprojectile bombardment with a helium-pressured PDS 1000 particle gun. Gold particles coated with plasmid DNA containing ß-glucuronidase (GUS) and hygromycin phosphotransferase (Hpt) marker genes were used. Potentially transformed tissues were identified by active growth on MS medium supplemented with 50mg l^-1 hygromycin. After 4–6 months of continuous selection, 15 hygromycin-resistant lines were recovered. Integration of transgenes into the genome of the transformed protocorms and plantlets were confirmed by GUS histochemical assay and Southern blot hybridization. The transgenic protocorms have gone through propagation for more than 8 months and maintained their transgenic characters. These results indicate that we have established a system for orchid transformation in a relatively high frequency and the transgenes are stably expressed in the transgenic plants.     

Transformation of the tropane alkaloid-producing medicinal plant Hyoscyamus muticus by particle bombardment

We report an efficient whole plant transformation system for Hyoscyamus muticus, an important medicinal plant of the Solanaceous family. We developed a system using a plasmid carrying the nptII and gusA genes, which was delivered into leaf explants by particle bombardment. Ten percent of bombarded leaf explants formed kanamycin-resistant callus, from which putative transgenic plants were recovered. The nptII gene conferring kanamycin resistance was found to be incorporated into the genome of all transgenic plants screened. Over 50% of the kanamycin resistant plants showed strong expression of the non-selected gusA gene. The majority of transgenic plants reached maturity, could be self pollinated, and produced fertile seed. A simple and efficient whole plant transformation system for this medicinal plant is an important step in furthering our understanding of tropane alkaloid production in plants.     

大麦转化体系的改进及TrxS基因的转化

以啤酒大麦品种“晋引6号”的幼胚为转化起始材料,用基因枪法将分别携带有目的基因(TrxS)和除草剂基因(筛选基因,Bar)的两个质粒进行了共转化,同时对基因转化的相关技术和植株再生的培养方案进行了优化。结果表明,受体材料宜选用预培养15d的幼胚;在培养前2周添加1mg／L ABA可抑制胚芽萌发而且有助于胚性愈伤组织的形成;1．0mg／L ZT与0．1mg／L IAA激素配比可有效促进愈伤组织的分化。利用优化的培养条件,经在含3～5mg／L筛选剂PPT的培养基上筛选、再生及生根培养。共在178块抗性愈伤组织上获得11株再生植株,再生率达到6．2％,经对T0、T1、T2代PCR、nested PCR和Southern杂交检测表明,TrxS基因已经稳定整合到大麦基因组中且遗传稳定、结构完整。     

Efficient selection and regeneration of creeping bentgrass transformants following particle bombardment

We have established an efficient genetic transformation system for creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) using particle bombardment. The transformation was performed using the plasmid pZO1052 which contains the reporter β-glucuronidase (uidA) gene and the selectable marker hygromycin phosphotransferase (hph) gene. Transformed calli and plants were obtained via particle bombardment followed by selection of transformants on medium containing 200 mg/l of hygromycin. An average of 4.6 resistant colonies per bombardment were obtained. Southern analysis confirmed the integration of foreign genes in 19 of 21 putative transformants, indicating that selection by hygromycin was highly effective. Received: 6 February 1997 / Revision received: 16 April 1997 / Accepted: 9 May 1997     

Stable transformation of the food yam Dioscorea alata L. by particle bombardment

Summary A biolistic particle gun was used to deliver genetic material into intact yam cells. Cultured suspension cells of D. alata were bombarded with microprojectiles coated with pBI221.2 DNA and histochemical assays were carried out to show transient GUS expression in bombarded cells. Stably transformed D. alata cells were recovered from cultured cells after bombardment with microprojectiles coated with pRT99gus harbouring both the nptII and uidA genes. Bombarded cells were selected on a medium containing geneticin (G418). Two months after bombardment, calli resistant to G418 were assayed for GUS expression. There was a 100% correlation between resistance to G418 and GUS expression. From these calli, four cell lines were established and GUS activity in each line was determined fluorometrically. The use of a specific GUS inhibitor showed that the GUS activity was due to the introduced uidA gene rather than to any intrinsic GUS-like activity originating from the plant. Incorporation of the introduced DNA into the plant genomic DNA was confirmed by Southern analysis.Abbreviations GUS -glucuronidase - MU 4-Methylumbelliferone - MUG 4-Methylumbelliferyl--D-glucuronide - PVP Polyvinylpyrrolidone - SDS Sodium dodecyl sulphate - TAE Tris-acetate-EDTA buffer - X-Gluc 5-Bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl--D-glucuronide     

Stable transformation of cultured cells of the liverwortMarchantia polymorpha by particle bombardment

Suspension-cultured cells (A-18 line) of the liverwortMarchanta polymorpha were bombarded by a pneumatic particle gun with plasmid pCH harbouring the hygromycin phosphotransferase (HPT) gene (hpt) under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35 S promoter and the nopaline synthase polyadenylation region. Nine weeks after bombardments, 128 hygromycin-resistant calluses were obtained from an approximate total of 7×10⁶ cells. Ten cell lines chosen randomly were analysed further. Southern blot analysis showed that all of the ten lines contain thehpt gene in the genome, demonstrating that these lines are transformants. An HPT enzyme activity assay confirmed the expression of the gene in all of the transformant lines.