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Richardson KA, de Bonth ACM, Beechey-Gradwell Z, Kadam S, Cooney LJ, Nelson KA, Cookson R, Winichayakul S, Reid M, Anderson P, Crowther T, Zou X, Maher D, Xue H, Scott RW, Allan A, Johnson RD, Card SD, Mace WJ, Roberts NJ, Bryan G. Epichloë fungal endophyte interactions in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) modified to accumulate foliar lipids for increased energy density. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:636. [PMID: 38072924 PMCID: PMC10712098 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04635-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Commercial cultivars of perennial ryegrass infected with selected Epichloë fungal endophytes are highly desirable in certain pastures as the resulting mutualistic association has the capacity to confer agronomic benefits (such as invertebrate pest deterrence) largely due to fungal produced secondary metabolites (e.g., alkaloids). In this study, we investigated T2 segregating populations derived from two independent transformation events expressing diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) and cysteine oleosin (CO) genes designed to increase foliar lipid and biomass accumulation. These populations were either infected with Epichloë festucae var. lolii strain AR1 or Epichloë sp. LpTG-3 strain AR37 to examine relationships between the introduced trait and the endophytic association. Here we report on experiments designed to investigate if expression of the DGAT + CO trait in foliar tissues of perennial ryegrass could negatively impact the grass-endophyte association and vice versa. Both endophyte and plant characters were measured under controlled environment and field conditions. RESULTS Expected relative increases in total fatty acids of 17-58% accrued as a result of DGAT + CO expression with no significant difference between the endophyte-infected and non-infected progeny. Hyphal growth in association with DGAT + CO expression appeared normal when compared to control plants in a growth chamber. There was no significant difference in mycelial biomass for both strains AR1 and AR37, however, Epichloë-derived alkaloid concentrations were significantly lower on some occasions in the DGAT + CO plants compared to the corresponding null-segregant progenies, although these remained within the reported range for bioactivity. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the mutualistic association formed between perennial ryegrass and selected Epichloë strains does not influence expression of the host DGAT + CO technology, but that endophyte performance may be reduced under some circumstances. Further investigation will now be required to determine the preferred genetic backgrounds for introgression of the DGAT + CO trait in combination with selected endophyte strains, as grass host genetics is a major determinant to the success of the grass-endophyte association in this species.
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Grants
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- contract C10X1603 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- AgResearch Strategic Science Investment Fund
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim A Richardson
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand.
| | | | | | - Suhas Kadam
- Division of Plant Sciences & Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, 65201, MO, USA
- Present address: SGS North America, Crop Sciences, Brookings, SD, 57006, USA
| | - Luke J Cooney
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Kelly A Nelson
- Division of Plant Sciences & Technology, University of Missouri, Novelty, 63460, MO, USA
| | - Ruth Cookson
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | | | - Michele Reid
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Philip Anderson
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Tracey Crowther
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Xiuying Zou
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Dorothy Maher
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Hong Xue
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Richard W Scott
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Anne Allan
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Richard D Johnson
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Stuart D Card
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Wade J Mace
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Nicholas J Roberts
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Gregory Bryan
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
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Grogg D, Rohner M, Yates S, Manzanares C, Bull SE, Dalton S, Bosch M, Studer B, Broggini GAL. Callus Induction from Diverse Explants and Genotypes Enables Robust Transformation of Perennial Ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:2054. [PMID: 35956532 PMCID: PMC9370183 DOI: 10.3390/plants11152054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Genetic transformation of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is critical for fundamental and translational research in this important grass species. It often relies on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of callus tissue. However, callus induction is restricted to a few genotypes that respond well to tissue culture. Here, we report callus induction from different perennial ryegrass genotypes and explants, such as shoot tips, seeds, and anthers, which were transformed with several plasmids for functional genomics. β-glucuronidase (GUS) histochemical staining showed the LmdsRNAbp promoter sequence was active in stigmas, spikelets, anthers, and leaves. We also transformed calli with plasmids allowing gene silencing and gene knock-out using RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9, respectively, for which genotypic and phenotypic investigations are ongoing. Using 19 different constructs, 262 transgenic events were regenerated. Moreover, the protocol regenerated a doubled haploid transgenic event from anther-derived calli. This work provides a proof-of-concept method for expanding the range of genotypes amenable to transformation, thus, serving research and breeding initiatives to improve this important grass crop for forage and recreation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Grogg
- Molecular Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Universitaetstrasse 2, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marius Rohner
- Molecular Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Universitaetstrasse 2, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Steven Yates
- Molecular Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Universitaetstrasse 2, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chloe Manzanares
- Molecular Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Universitaetstrasse 2, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon E. Bull
- Molecular Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Universitaetstrasse 2, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sue Dalton
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth SY23 3EE, UK
| | - Maurice Bosch
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth SY23 3EE, UK
| | - Bruno Studer
- Molecular Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Universitaetstrasse 2, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni A. L. Broggini
- Molecular Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Universitaetstrasse 2, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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Giraldo PA, Shinozuka H, Spangenberg GC, Cogan NO, Smith KF. Safety Assessment of Genetically Modified Feed: Is There Any Difference From Food? FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:1592. [PMID: 31921242 PMCID: PMC6918800 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Food security is one of major concerns for the growing global population. Modern agricultural biotechnologies, such as genetic modification, are a possible solution through enabling an increase of production, more efficient use of natural resources, and reduced environmental impacts. However, new crop varieties with altered genetic materials may be subjected to safety assessments to fulfil the regulatory requirements, prior to marketing. The aim of the assessment is to evaluate the impact of products from the new crop variety on human, animal, and the environmental health. Although, many studies on the risk assessment of genetically modified (GM) food have been published, little consideration to GM feedstuff has been given, despite that between 70 to 90% of all GM crops and their biomass are used as animal feed. In addition, in some GM plants such as forages that are only used for animal feeds, the assessment of the genetic modification may be of relevance only to livestock feeding. In this article, the regulatory framework of GM crops intended for animal feed is reviewed using the available information on GM food as the baseline. Although, the majority of techniques used for the safety assessment of GM food can be used in GM feed, many plant parts used for livestock feeding are inedible to humans. Therefore, the concentration of novel proteins in different plant tissues and level of exposure to GM feedstuff in the diet of target animals should be considered. A further development of specific methodologies for the assessment of GM crops intended for animal consumption is required, in order to provide a more accurate and standardized assessment to the GM feed safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula A. Giraldo
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBiosciences, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hiroshi Shinozuka
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBiosciences, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - German C. Spangenberg
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBiosciences, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBiosciences, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Noel O.I. Cogan
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBiosciences, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBiosciences, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kevin F. Smith
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Agriculture Victoria Research, Hamilton, VIC, Australia
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Giraldo PA, Cogan NOI, Spangenberg GC, Smith KF, Shinozuka H. Development and Application of Droplet Digital PCR Tools for the Detection of Transgenes in Pastures and Pasture-Based Products. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 9:1923. [PMID: 30671074 PMCID: PMC6331530 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Implementation of molecular biotechnology, such as transgenic technologies, in forage species can improve agricultural profitability through achievement of higher productivity, better use of resources such as soil nutrients, water, or light, and reduced environmental impact. Development of detection and quantification techniques for genetically modified plants are necessary to comply with traceability and labeling requirements prior to regulatory approval for release. Real-time PCR has been the standard method used for detection and quantification of genetically modified events, and droplet digital PCR is a recent alternative technology that offers a higher accuracy. Evaluation of both technologies was performed using a transgenic high-energy forage grass as a case study. Two methods for detection and quantification of the transgenic cassette, containing modified fructan biosynthesis genes, and a selectable marker gene, hygromycin B phosphotransferase used for transformation, were developed. Real-time PCR was assessed using two detection techniques, SYBR Green I and fluorescent probe-based methods. A range of different agricultural commodities were tested including fresh leaves, tillers, seeds, pollen, silage and hay, simulating a broad range of processed agricultural commodities that are relevant in the commercial use of genetically modified pastures. The real-time and droplet digital PCR methods were able to detect both exogenous constructs in all agricultural products. However, a higher sensitivity and repeatability in transgene detection was observed with the droplet digital PCR technology. Taking these results more broadly, it can be concluded that the droplet digital PCR technology provides the necessary resolution for quantitative analysis and detection, allowing absolute quantification of the target sequence at the required limits of detection across all jurisdictions globally. The information presented here provides guidance and resources for pasture-based biotechnology applications that are required to comply with traceability requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula A. Giraldo
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Noel O. I. Cogan
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - German C. Spangenberg
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- Agriculture Victoria, Hamilton, VIC, Australia
| | - Kevin F. Smith
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Agriculture Victoria, Hamilton, VIC, Australia
| | - Hiroshi Shinozuka
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
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Barros J, Temple S, Dixon RA. Development and commercialization of reduced lignin alfalfa. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2018; 56:48-54. [PMID: 30268938 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Reducing lignin content in forage legumes can improve digestibility and, correspondingly, animal performance, and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is the first genetically engineered crop commercialized for improved forage digestibility. Lignin reduction was achieved by downregulating the gene encoding caffeoyl-CoA 3-O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT), and development of the commercial product, branded as HarvXtra, required the coordination of two research institutions and two companies, and more than 15 years of research and field trials. Lignin modification has positive impacts on forage management. Future developments will likely stack lignin modification with additional forage quality traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Barros
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, United States; Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI), Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States
| | - Stephen Temple
- Forage Genetics International, West Salem, WI 54669, United States
| | - Richard A Dixon
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, United States; Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI), Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States.
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Giraldo PA, Elliott C, Badenhorst P, Kearney G, Spangenberg GC, Cogan NOI, Smith KF. Evaluation of endophyte toxin production and its interaction with transgenic perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) with altered expression of fructosyltransferases. Transgenic Res 2018; 27:397-407. [PMID: 30030680 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-018-0087-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Alkaloid concentration of perennial ryegrass herbage is affected by endophyte strain and host plant genotype. However, previous studies suggest that associations between host and endophyte also depends on environmental conditions, especially those affecting nutrient reserves and that water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration of perennial ryegrass plants may influence grass-endophyte associations. In this study a single transgenic event, with altered expression of fructosyltransferase genes to produce high WSC and biomass, has been crossed into a range of cultivar backgrounds with varying Epichloë endophyte strains. The effect of the association between the transgenic trait and alkaloid production was assessed and compared with transgene free control populations. In the vast-majority of comparisons there was no significant difference between alkaloid concentrations of transgenic and non-transgenic plants within the same cultivar and endophyte backgrounds. There was no significant difference between GOI+ (gene of interest positive) and GOI- (gene of interest negative) populations in Janthritrem response. Peramine concentration was not different between GOI+ and GOI- for 10 of the 12 endophytes-cultivar combinations. Cultivar Trojan infected with NEA6 and Alto with SE (standard endophyte) exhibited higher peramine and lolitrem B (only for Alto SE) concentration, in the control GOI- compared with GOI+. Similarly, cultivar Trojan infected with NEA6 and Alto with NEA3 presented higher ergovaline concentration in GOI-. Differences in alkaloid concentration may be attributable to an indirect effect in the modulation of fungal biomass. These results conclude that the presence of this transgenic insertion, does not alter the risk (toxicity) of the endophyte-grass associations. Endophyte-host interactions are complex and further research into associations with high WSC plant should be performed in a case by case basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Andrea Giraldo
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.,Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBiosciences, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Carly Elliott
- Agriculture Victoria Research, Hamilton, VIC, 3300, Australia
| | - Pieter Badenhorst
- Agriculture Victoria Research, Hamilton, VIC, 3300, Australia.,School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBiosciences, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | | | - German C Spangenberg
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBiosciences, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia.,School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBiosciences, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Noel O I Cogan
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBiosciences, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia.,School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBiosciences, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Kevin F Smith
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia. .,Agriculture Victoria Research, Hamilton, VIC, 3300, Australia.
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Capstaff NM, Miller AJ. Improving the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Forage Crops. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:535. [PMID: 29740468 PMCID: PMC5928394 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Despite being some of the most important crops globally, there has been limited research on forages when compared with cereals, fruits, and vegetables. This review summarizes the literature highlighting the significance of forage crops, the current improvements and some of future directions for improving yield and nutritional quality. We make the point that the knowledge obtained from model plant and grain crops can be applied to forage crops. The timely development of genomics and bioinformatics together with genome editing techniques offer great scope to improve forage crops. Given the social, environmental and economic importance of forage across the globe and especially in poorer countries, this opportunity has enormous potential to improve food security and political stability.
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