RESUMEN
We have previously isolated a CCAAT-binding factor B subunit gene ( BnCBF-B) from Brassica napus that is widely expressed in different plant tissues and whose role is still unknown. To investigate the importance of this transcription factor subunit in plant reproductive tissues, we targeted antisense BnCBF-B transcripts to the tapetum of transgenic B. napus plants. Of the 24 independent transformants, 13 yielded reduced quantities of viable pollen, of which five were unable to produce the elongated siliques indicative of normal seed set. The decrease in pollen viability probably resulted from the precocious degeneration of the tapetal cell layer observed in these plants. Surprisingly, the male-sterile phenotype was also accompanied by a decrease in female fertility, which could be due to the expression of the antisense BnCBF-B transcripts in the female reproductive structures of the transgenic plants. These results suggest that the BnCBF-B gene plays a critical non-redundant role in plant reproductive tissues.
Asunto(s)
Elementos sin Sentido (Genética)/genética , Brassica napus/genética , Factor de Unión a CCAAT/genética , Flores/genética , Elementos sin Sentido (Genética)/metabolismo , Brassica napus/fisiología , Factor de Unión a CCAAT/metabolismo , Fertilidad/genética , Flores/fisiología , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente , Polen/genética , Polen/crecimiento & desarrolloRESUMEN
Glycinebetaine (betaine) affords osmoprotection in bacteria, plants and animals, and protects cell components against harsh conditions in vitro. This and a compelling body of other evidence have encouraged the engineering of betaine production in plants lacking it. We have installed the metabolic step for oxidation of choline, a ubiquitous substance, to betaine in three diverse species, Arabidopsis, Brassica napus, and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), by constitutive expression of a bacterial choline oxidase gene. The highest levels of betaine in independent transgenics were 18.6, 12.8, and 13 micromol g(-1) dry weight, respectively, values 10- to 20-fold lower than the levels found in natural betaine producers. However, choline-fed transgenic plants synthesized substantially more betaine. Increasing the choline supplementation further enhanced betaine synthesis, up to 613 micromol g(-1) dry weight in Arabidopsis, 250 micromol g(-1) dry weight in B. napus, and 80 micromol g(-1) dry weight in tobacco. These studies demonstrate the need to enhance the endogenous choline supply to support accumulation of physiologically relevant amounts of betaine. A moderate stress tolerance was noted in some but not all betaine-producing transgenic lines based on relative shoot growth. Furthermore, the responses to stresses such as salinity, drought, and freezing were variable among the three species.
Asunto(s)
Betaína/metabolismo , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/genética , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/metabolismo , Oxidorreductasas de Alcohol/genética , Animales , Arabidopsis/genética , Arabidopsis/metabolismo , Brassica/genética , Brassica/metabolismo , Colina/metabolismo , Expresión Génica , Ingeniería Genética , Ósmosis , Fotosíntesis , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/crecimiento & desarrollo , Plantas Tóxicas , Estrés Fisiológico/genética , Estrés Fisiológico/metabolismo , Nicotiana/genética , Nicotiana/metabolismoRESUMEN
The defective gene encoding neomycin phosphotransferase (NPTII) present in the binary plasmid vector, pBin19, was replaced with the wild-type (wt) gene. Plasmid vectors analogous to pBin19, pBI121 and pBI101 were constructed carrying the gene encoding the wt NPTII enzyme activity.
Asunto(s)
Vectores Genéticos , Fosfotransferasas/genética , Plantas/genética , Plásmidos , Transformación Genética , Kanamicina QuinasaRESUMEN
We have used an in vivo selection approach to isolate a gene encoding a bifunctional fusion peptide between Escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase (GUS) and neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPT-II) from transposon Tn5 in the NH2-GUS::NPT-II-COOH configuration. The fused gene is predicted to encode a fusion peptide 885 amino acids long, and was shown in E. coli to synthesize a 97-kDa GUS+ NPT-II+ gene product. Gel-filtration chromatography suggested that, while the native GUS may be active as a dimer and NPT-II as a monomer, the elution profile of the fusion protein is consistent with that of a trimer. The fusion marker has been produced and defined in transgenic Nicotiana tabacum plants, where both the chimeric gene and the gene product were stable. The bifunctional gene enabled direct KmR selection at the callus stage and enzymatic or histochemical assessment of the steady-state production of GUS activity in regenerated plants. In addition to allowing structure-function determination for the GUS and NPT-II domains of the fusion peptide, the gus::npt-II gene simplifies vector constructs where both marker domains are desired.