Generation of transgenic wheat resistant to wheat yellow mosaic virus and identification of gene silence induced by virus infection

The plasmid containing the promoter Act1, the coat protein (cp) gene of wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV) and the selectable bar gene, was delivered via particle bombardment, directly into immature embryos of a wheat cultivars. PCR and PCR-RFLP were employed to screen the existence of the cp gene in T0 and T1 generations. Seeds from the positive T1 plants were sowed in fields heavily contaminated with WYMV to detect their resistance. In field trial of virus infection, one of the transgenic wheat lines, P8-T2, exhibited highly disease-resistance. Western blot and RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression level of cp gene in the resistant transgenic line was reduced greatly compared to those susceptible to WYMV infection. This provided evidence to presume that the resistance obtained by the transgenic wheat line was stimulated by the mechanism of the virus induced gene silencing.     

Transgenic tobacco plants expressing synthetic Cry1Ac and Cry1Ie genes are more toxic to cotton bollworm than those containing one gene

Transgenic tobacco plants carrying CrylAc, Crylle or both genes were obtained. In the leaves of transgenic plants carrying both genes, the contents of CrylAc and Crylle proteins were 0.173% and 0.131% of the total proteins, respectively. CrylAc protein content was 0.182 % and Cry1 le protein content was 0.124% of the total proteins in the leaves of transgenic plants containing only one Bt gene. Fresh leaves of transgenic tobacco and wild-type plants were used for the insect bioassay against wild-type and Cry1Ac-resistant cotton bollworm （Helicoverpa armigera）. The bioassay results showed that transgenic plants carrying both genes were significantly more toxic to wild-type and CrylAc-resistant cotton bollworm than those carrying CrylAc or Crylle alone. This study indicates that the higher toxicity of transgenic tobacco plants carrying both genes is caused by the cooperative function of both Bt proteins, thus providing a potential way to delay the development of insect resistance to transgenic crops.     

Two virus-encoded RNA silencing suppressors, P14 of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus and S6 of Rice black streak dwarf virus

Functional analysis for gene silencing suppressor of P14 gene of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus and S6 gene of Rice black streak dwarf virus was carried out by agro- infiltration with recombinant vectors of Potato virus X. The phenotype observation of green fluorescent protein (GFP)expression and Northern blot showed that the gene silencing of gfp transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana induced by homologous sequence was strongly suppressed by the immixture infiltration of either the P14 or the $6. In the suppressed plants, the gfp mRNA accumulation was higher than that in the non-suppressed controls and the symptoms caused by PVX infection became more severe, especially the gfp DNA methylation of plant genome was significantly inhabited when co-infiltrated with RBSDV S6 gene. These results suggested that these two virus genes were potentially to encode for proteins as RNA silencing suppressors.     

Evaluation of transgenic tobacco expressing two insecticidal genes to delay resistance development ofHelicoverpa armigera

The resistance ratio ofHelicoverpa armigera to Cry1 Ac insecticidal protein fromBacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is 13.1- and 3.02-fold after 18 generations of selection by transgenic tobacco expressing Bt or two (Bt and CpTI) insecticidal protein genes, in which the average corrected mortality for each selection treatments is about 60%. The mortality of selected population by transgenic Bt gene tobacco is significantly lower than the control strain when fed on transgenic tobacco plants. The mortaltty of the selected population by transgenic two genes tobacco was not significantly different from the control strain. This is the first experiment under laboratory condition which has proved that transgenic two genes tobacco could significantly delay resistance development ofH. armigera compared with one gene.     

Obtaining High Pest-resistant Tobacco Plants Carrying B.t. insecticidal Gene

To increase the expression level of CryIA(c) gene in transgenic plants, a plant expression vector pBinMoBc carrying the CryIA(c) gene under control of chimeric OM promoter and Ω factor was constructed. As a control, pBinoBc carrying the CryIA(c) gene with the CaMV 35S promoter was also constructed. The vectors were transferred into tobacco plants respectively via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. ELISA assay showed that the expression level of the CryIA(c) gene in pBinMoBc transgenic tobacco plants was 2.44-times that in pBinoBc transgenic tobacco plants, and it could be up to 0.255% of total soluble proteins. Bioassay showed that pBinMoBc transgenic tobacco plants had more notable insecticidal effect than pBinoBc transgenic tobacco plants. The above results showed that the chimeric OM promoter was a stronger promoter than CaMV 35S promoter that was widely used in plant genetic engineering, and this is very useful in pest-resistant plant genetic engineering.     

双抗转CP基因线辣椒对非克隆病毒的抗病性

本试验以转化黄瓜花叶病毒外壳蛋白基因 (CMV- CP)和烟草花叶病毒外壳蛋白基因(TMV- CP)的线辣椒纯合系作试材 ,比较了转化植株对接种 CMV非克隆株系后抗病性的变化以及转化植株对接种 PVX,PVY和 TEV等非克隆病毒后的抗病性变化 .结果表明 :转化线辣椒能抵抗 CMV非克隆株系的侵染 ,抗病表达特点为系统症状延迟出现 ,显症株率和病害严重度级别大幅度降低 ,接种叶片与新生叶片中的病毒含量明显减少 .对 PVX,PVY和 TEV等非克隆病毒也表达了相同的抗病特点     

Transgenic tobacco plants expressing synthetic Cry1Ac and Cry1Ie genes are more toxic to cotton bollworm than those containing one gene

Transgenic tobacco plants carrying Cry1Ac, Cry1Ie or both genes were obtained. In the leaves of transgenic plants carrying both genes, the contents of Cry1Ac and Cry1Ie proteins were 0.173% and 0.131% of the total proteins, respectively. Cry1Ac protein content was 0.182% and Cry1Ie protein con- tent was 0.124% of the total proteins in the leaves of transgenic plants containing only one Bt gene. Fresh leaves of transgenic tobacco and wild-type plants were used for the insect bioassay against wild-type and Cry1Ac-resistant cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera). The bioassay results showed that transgenic plants carrying both genes were significantly more toxic to wild-type and Cry1Ac-resistant cotton bollworm than those carrying Cry1Ac or Cry1Ie alone. This study indicates that the higher toxicity of transgenic tobacco plants carrying both genes is caused by the cooperative function of both Bt proteins, thus providing a potential way to delay the development of insect resis- tance to transgenic crops.     

Influence of DNA methylation on transgene expression

DNA methylation plays an important role in gene expression in eukaryote. But DNA methylation of transgene usually leads to target gene silencing in plant genetic engineering. In this research, reporter gene b-glu- curonidase (GUS) gene ( uidA ) was introduced into tobaccos via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method, and the foreign uidA gene became inactive in some transgenic tobaccos. No mRNA of uidA was detected in these plants by Northern blotting analysis, and DNA methylation of promoter region was found. The results indicated that gene silencing might be caused by DNA methylation of promoter.     

Secretive expression of Aspergillus fumigatus phytase in tobacco improves phosphorus nutrition in plant

To generate transgenic plants capable of utilizing exogenous phytate,an Aspersgillus fumigatus phytase gene(fphyA) was constitutively expressed in tobacco and recombinant enzyme was secreted from plant roots into the rhizosphere using the signal sequence from tobacco calretieulin.After 40 days of plant growth in hydroponic media,phytase activities in leaves,stems,roots and growth media of transgenic plants were 8.6-fold,7.4-fold,12.6-fold and 14.3-fold higher than those of wild-type plants.Signifi-cant improvements in plant growth and phosphoms(P)utilization were observed in the transgenic plants.When phytate was supplied as the sole P source.45-day-old transgenic tobaccos accumulated 1.0-fold and 0.5-fold more shoot and root biomass than wild-type tobaccos.with a concomitant of 1.7-fold increase in total P concentration.These results indicate that secretive expression of the A.fumigatus phytase improves acquisition and use of P from phytate in plants.     

Transgenic tobacco plants harboring tomato proteinase inhibitor II gene and their insect resistance

The plant expression vectors pBCT2 and pBT2 were constructed with the cDNA sequence (tin2) and genomic DNA sequence (tin2i) of tomato proteinase inhibitor II gene respectively. Then the two expression vectors were transferred into tobacco via the Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404, and transgenic tobacco plants were generated. Molecular analysis and trypsin activity assay showed that both cDNA and genomic DNA were expressed properly in the transgenic plants. Insecticidal activities in these transgenic plants indicated that transgenic tobacco plants carrying tin2i sequence were more resistant to 2-instar larvae of Heliothis armigera Hubner than those carrying tin2 sequence. Therefore the intron of tin2i sequence might be a contributor to insecticidal activity of the transgenic tobacco.     

Post-transcriptional gene silencing signal could move rapidly and bidirectionally in grafted Arabidopsis thaliana

RNA-MEDIATED GENE SILENCING IS A UNIVERSAL GENE- REGULATION SYSTEM FUNDAMENTAL IN BIOLOGICAL PROCESSESAND PHENOMENA OF THE DOUBLE-STRANDED RNA (DSRNA) TRIGGERED SEQUENCE-SPECIFIC MRNA DEGRADATION[1―3]. RNA SILENCING OCCURS IN A BROAD RANGE OF EUKARYOTIC …     

Expression of two insect-resistant genes crylA ( b&c )/GNA in transgenic tobacco plants results in added protection against both cotton bollworm and aphids

The synthesized Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal protein gene crylA(b&c) and the synthesized gene GNA, (the mannose specific lectin from snowdrop ( Galanthus nivalis)), tumefaciens have been inserted into plant expression vector pGW4BAI. Leave stripes of Nico-tiana tabacum var. K326 have been transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harboring the plant expression vector. 28 kanamycin resistant tobacco plants have been obtained. PCR and Southern blot analyses show that the foreign crylA and GNA genes have been inserted into the genome of transformed tobacco plants. Haemagglutination assays show that GNA has a functional activity. Leaf disc bioassays against cotton bollworm ( H. armigera) show that the transgenic tobacco plants have a high insecticidal activity. The inhibition of aphid population in leaf disc bioassays against Myzus persicae shows that the fecundity of aphid on transgenic plants is lower than that on untransformed plants; the aphid population on the transgenic tobacco plants is 25%-70% that on untransformed tobacco plants. ELISA analysis of CrylA protein in tobcco leaves provides similar data to bioassay results. Through the two bioassays against H. armigera and M. persicae, several transgenic tobacco plants showing high insect-resistant activities to both pests have been obtained.     

转ChIFN-γ基因烟草抗虫机制研究

为探索转ChIFN-γ基因烟草的抗虫作用机制,对虫体蛋白酶活性变化、烟草挥发性成分以及表皮腺毛密度进行了研究.结果表明,烟青虫进食转基因烟草量较少,导致其体内分泌蛋白酶量少、活力低;转基因烟草T0和T1代,黑松三烯和西柏三烯二醇相对含量较对照高;转基因烟草腺毛密度比对照高49.2%.ChIFN-γ基因激活的多种转录因子可能结合了腺毛发育相关基因的cis调节元件,上调了腺毛发育基因的表达,导致腺毛的数量增加,分泌的萜烯化合物增加从而具有显著的抗虫性.     

AC2 and AC4 proteins of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tobacco curly shoot virus</Emphasis> mediate suppression of RNA silencing

Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus Y10 isolate (TYLCCNV-Y10) alone could systemically infect host plants such as Nicotiana benthamiana without symptoms. In contrast, Tobacco curly shoot virus Y35 isolate (TbCSV-Y35) alone induces leaf curl symptoms in N. benthamiana. When inoculated into transgenic N. benthamiana plants expressing GFP gene (line 16c), TYLCCNV-Y10 neither reverses the established GFP silencing nor blocks the onset of GFP silencing. In contrast, TbCSV-Y35 can partially reverse the established GFP silencing and block the onset of GFP silencing in new leaves. In the patch co-infiltration assays, the AC2 and AC4 proteins of TYLCCNV-Y10 and TbCSV-Y35 could suppress local GFP silencing and delay systemic GFP silencing, suggesting that they are suppressors of RNA silencing. Comparison of the accumulation levels of GFP mRNA in the co-infiltration patches showed that Y10 AC2 and Y35 AC2 proteins had similar efficiency for suppression of RNA silencing. However, Y35 AC4 protein functioned as a stronger suppressor of RNA silencing than Y10 AC4 protein. There-fore, the pathogenicity difference between TbCSV-Y35 and TYLCCNV-Y10 may be related to the functional difference in their AC4 proteins.     

Modification of a viral satellite DNA-based gene silencing vector and its application to leaf or flower color change in Petunia hybrida

Gene silencing conserved in plants and animals is mediated by mechanisms that involve sequence- specific RNA degradation[1,2]. Gene silencing has been proven to play an important role in the study of gene function. Recently, a procedure known as virus ind…     

Increment of antioxidase activity of transgenic tobacco with betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the leaves of transgenic tobacco plants with betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) gene was about 36% higher than that in the control plants (parent plants), activities of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (Cat) increased by about 62% and 88% respectively. Activities of ascorbate peroxidase (AsSPOD), dehydroascorbate redutase (DAsAR) and glutathione reductase (GR) in ascorbate-glutothion pathway located at chloroplasts increased by 67.7%, 47.9% and 38.8% respectively. These results indicated that the H₂O₂ produced by SOD catalyzing superoxide anion radicals (O^-₂) could be fully decomposed, and could not derive to form the strongest toxicant radicals ·OH. This is the first report to elucidate quantitatively that the activities of two kinds of antioxidative enzymes decomposed radicals and active oxygen were matched. Photoinhibition tolerant capacity of the transgenic tobacco plants was 35% higher than that in the parent plants. Increment of photoinhibition tolerant capacity in the transgenic tobacco plants might be due to increment of antioxidative enzymes activities, in turn being able to more effectively scavenge active oxygen and radicals, protect organization and function of chloroplasts. These results showed that the increment of antioxidative enzymes activities in the transgenic tobacco might be one of the reasons for the increment of resistance in the transgenic tobacco.