ISSN:
1432-2242
Keywords:
Antisense regulation
;
Transgenic rice
;
Amylose
;
waxy
;
Grain starch
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The waxy gene encodes a granule-bound starch synthase. A 1.0-kb portion of the sequence of the rice waxy gene, which includes the region between exon 4 and exon 9, was inserted in an antisense orientation between the 35 S promoter and the GUS gene of pBI221. The resultant plasmid, pWXA23, was introduced into rice protoplasts by electroporation. GUS activity was clearly detected in derived callus lines, suggesting that the antisense component of the fusion gene was also expressed. Transgenic rice plants were regenerated from these callus lines and their GUS activity was confirmed. Some of the rice seeds from these transformants showed a significant reduction in the amylose content of grain starch, even though they had become polyploid. These results suggest that even when intron sequences are included, antisense constructs can bring about a reduced level of expression of a target gene. The utility of GUS, included as a reporter gene, for the simple detection of expression of an antisense gene, was apparent from these results.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00222654
Permalink