Creation of ecdysone receptor chimeras in plants for controlled regulation of gene expression

Transformation with a chimeric receptor containing the glucocorticoid transactivation and DNA-binding domains fused to an ecdysteroid receptor ligand-binding domain permits ecdysone agonist-inducible gene expression in monocotyledonous plant cells. The inducible system is based on the specific activation of a chimeric receptor containing the ligand-binding domain of the Heliothis virescens ecdysteroid receptor and the inducer RH5992 (a 20-hydroxyecdysone agonist). RH5992 is an non-steroidal agrochemical with a high specificity for lepidopteran ecdysone receptors. Addition of RH5992 to transformed cells results in high levels of inducible expression in a ligand-specific manner, particularly when the effector receptor is coupled to the strong transactivator VP16. A chimeric construct containing the Drosophila ecdysone ligand-binding domain failed to activate reporter gene activity with RH5992, while activation was observed in the presence of muristeroneA. The system described provides the basis for an inducible gene expression system that is compatible with agricultural use. Received: 24 September 1998 / Accepted: 15 January 1999