Transformation of haploid, microspore-derived cell suspension protoplasts of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

High frequency plant regeneration from mature seed of elite, recalcitrant Malaysian indica rice ( Oryza sativa L.) CV. MR 219

An efficient in vitro plant regeneration system was established for elite, recalcitrant Malaysian indica rice, Oryza sativa L. CV. MR 219 using mature seeds as explant on Murashige and Skoog and Chu N6 media containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and kinetin either alone or in different combinations. L-proline, casein hydrolysate and L-glutamine were added to callus induction media for enhancement of embryogenic callus induction. The highest frequency of friable callus induction (84%) was observed in N6 medium containing 2.5 mg l(-1) 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, 0.2 mg l(-1) kinetin, 2.5 mg l(-1) L-proline, 300 mg l(-1) casein hydrolysate, 20 mg l(-1) L-glutamine and 30 g l(-1) sucrose under culture in continuous lighting conditions. The maximum regeneration frequency (71%) was observed, when 30-day-old N6 friable calli were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 3 mg l(-1) 6-benzyl aminopurine, 1 mg l(-1) naphthalene acetic acid, 2.5 mg l(-1) L-proline, 300 mg l(-1) casein hydrolysate and 3% maltose. Developed shoots were rooted in half strength MS medium supplemented with 2% sucrose and were successfully transplanted to soil with 95% survival. This protocol may be used for other recalcitrant indica rice genotypes and to transfer desirable genes in to Malaysian indica rice cultivar MR219 for crop improvement.

Protein proteinase inhibitor genes in combat against insects, pests, and pathogens: natural and engineered phytoprotection

The continual need to increase food production necessitates the development and application of novel biotechnologies to enable the provision of improved crop varieties in a timely and cost-effective way. A milestone in this field was the introduction of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) entomotoxic proteins into plants. Despite the success of this technology, there is need for development of alternative strategies of phytoprotection. Biotechnology offers sustainable solutions to the problem of pests, pathogens, and plant parasitic nematodes in the form of other insecticidal protein genes. A variety of genes, besides (Bt) toxins that are now available for genetic engineering for pest resistance are genes for vegetative insecticidal proteins, proteinase inhibitors, alpha-amylase inhibitors, and plant lectins. This review presents a comprehensive summary of research efforts that focus on the potential use and advantages of using proteinase inhibitor genes to engineer insect- and pest-resistance. Crop protection by means of PI genes is an important component of Integrated Pest Management programmes.

Expression of a synthetic porcine alpha-lactalbumin gene in the kernels of transgenic maize

The main nutritional limitation of maize used for feed is the content of protein that is digestible, bioavailable and contains an amino acid balance that matches the requirements of animals. In contrast, milk protein has good digestibility, bioavailability and amino acid balance. As an initial effort to create maize optimized as a source of swine nutrition, a codon-adjusted version of a gene encoding the milk protein porcine alpha-lactalbumin was synthesized. Maize expression vectors containing this gene under the control of the Ubi-1 promoter and nos 3' terminator were constructed. These vectors were used to transform maize callus lines that were regenerated into fertile plants. The alpha-lactalbumin transgenes were transmitted through meiosis to the sexual progeny of the regenerated plants. Porcine alpha-lactalbumin was detected in callus and kernels from transgenic maize lines that were transformed by two constructs containing the 27-kDa maize gamma-zein signal sequence at the 5' end of the synthetic porcine alpha-lactalbumin coding sequence. One of these constructs contained an ER retention signal and the other did not. Expression was not observed in kernels or callus from transgenic maize lines that were transformed by a construct that does not contain an exogenous protein-targeting signal. This suggests that the signal peptide might play an important role in porcine alpha-lactalbumin accumulation in transgenic maize kernels.

Biolistic transformation of haploid isolated microspores of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Transgenic barley plants were produced by the direct delivery of plasmid DNA into isolated microspores of barley cv. Igri using high velocity microprojectiles. The plasmid pAHC25 contained the uidA and bar genes, each under the control of a maize Ubi1 promoter. Bombarded microspores were cultured and selected on solid medium containing varying concentrations (2–5 mg/L) of the Basta herbicide active agent bialaphos. The effectiveness of selection with bialaphos depended on its interaction with the medium component glutamine. Six transgenic plants (R0) were obtained, and the presence of the uidA and bar genes and their integration into nuclear DNA in transformed R0 plants were confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis. Phosphinothricin acetyltransferase activity was observed in all six R0 transgenic plants, whereas none showed β-glucuronidase (GUS) activity in histochemical GUS assays. Two of the six R0 plants were haploid and sterile; one of them was trisomic and partially sterile; the remainder were diploid, but one of them was also sterile. Inheritance of the transgenes in progeny of three seed-producing transgenic plants was investigated. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA from R1 plants showed that the introduced bar and uidA genes were hemizygous and stably cotransmitted to the R1 progeny derived from self-pollination. Analysis of Basta resistance and the integration of the bar gene by PCR analysis in R1 plants indicated that the bar gene was being inherited and expressed as a single dominant trait. Fluorescent in situ hybridization was performed on chromosomes of the trisomic plant to confirm the presence of transgenes in the genome.Key words: barley, microspore, biolistic transformation, bialaphos, haploid, FISH.