SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Plants, Genetically Modified”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Tobacco transcription factor TGA2.2 is the main component of as-1-binding factor ASF-1 and is involved in salicylic acid- and auxin-inducible expression of as-1-containing target promoters.

In higher plants, activating sequence-1 (as-1) of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35 S promoter mediates both salicylic acid (SA)- and auxin-inducible transcriptional activation. Originally found in promoters of several viral and bacterial plant pathogens, as-1-like elements are also functional elements of plant promoters activated in the course of a defense response upon pathogen attack. Nuclear as-1-binding factor (ASF-1) and cellular salicylic acid response protein (SARP) bind specifically to as-1. Four different tobacco bZIP transcription factors (TGA1a, PG13, TGA2.1, and TGA2.2) are potential components of either ASF-1 or SARP. Here we show that ASF-1 and SARP are very similar in their composition. TGA2.2 is a major component of either complex, as shown by supershift analysis and Western blot analysis of DNA affinity-purified SARP. Minor amounts of a protein immunologically related to TGA2.1 were detected, whereas TGA1a was not detectable. Overexpression of either TGA2.2 or a dominant negative TGA2.2 mutant affected both SA and auxin (2, 4D) inducibility of various target promoters encoding as-1-like elements, albeit to different extents. This indicates that TGA2.2 is a component of the enhancosome assembling on these target promoters, both under elevated SA and 2,4D concentrations. However, the effect of altered TGA2.2 levels on gene expression was more pronounced upon SA treatment than upon 2,4D treatment.

Alleles↗

PubMed1995

Expression of soybean nodulin 26 in transgenic tobacco. Targeting to the vacuolar membrane and effects on floral and seed development.

Nodulin 26 is an integral membrane protein of the symbiosome membrane of nitrogen-fixing soybean nodules. We expressed a nodulin 26 cDNA in transgenic tobacco (TN26 tobacco) under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter to study subcellular targeting and the physiological effect(s) of its expression. Based on Northern and Western blots, the expression of nodulin 26 mRNA and protein in transgenic plants is high in apical shoot sections, flowers, and stems, low in mature leaves, and absent in roots. Western blot analysis revealed high levels of transgenic nodulin 26 protein in tonoplast membranes. In contrast, nodulin 26 protein was not found in isolated plasma membranes, the soluble fraction, nor in chloroplast and mitochondria-enriched membrane fractions. About 50-60% of the flowers and pods from TN26 tobacco plants abscised prematurely. Seed capsule size and seed fill per capsule from the remainder of surviving flowers were about 50% of that of control plants. Pollen viability was found to be normal, but flowers from TN26 tobacco plants showed shorter anther filaments compared with control plants. Normal seed production and capsule size was restored by manually crossing the stigmas from TN26 plants with isolated pollen from either transgenic or control plants. Thus, the aberrant filament growth could have resulted in the reproductive defects associated with the plants.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2000

Species-specific double-strand break repair and genome evolution in plants.

Even closely related eukaryotic species may differ drastically in genome size. While insertion of retroelements represents a major source of genome enlargement, the mechanism mediating species- specific deletions is fairly obscure. We analyzed the formation of deletions during double-strand break (DSB) repair in Arabidopsis thaliana and tobacco, two dicotyledonous plant species differing >20-fold in genome size. DSBs were induced by the rare cutting restriction endonuclease I-SCE:I and deletions were identified by loss of function of a negative selectable marker gene containing an I-SCE:I site. Whereas the partial use of micro-homologies in junction formation was similar in both species, in tobacco 40% of the deletions were accompanied by insertions. No insertions could be detected in Arabidopsis , where larger deletions were more frequent, indicating a putative inverse correlation between genome size and the average length of deletions. Such a correlation has been postulated before by a theoretical study on the evolution of related insect genomes and our study now identifies a possible molecular cause for the phenomenon, indicating that species-specific differences in DSB repair might indeed influence genome evolution.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed2001

In vitro tolerance to Botrytis cinerea of grapevine 41B rootstock in transgenic plants expressing the stilbene synthase Vst1 gene under the control of a pathogen-inducible PR 10 promoter.

Resveratrol is a major phytoalexin in grapevine but its synthesis in response to phytopathogen attack decreases with grape berry ripening. A chimeric gene combining an alfalfa PR 10 promoter and Vst1 (Vitis stilbene synthase 1) gene was introduced into the genome of 41B rootstock. Transgenic plants were analysed for resveratrol production in leaves infected with Botrytis using an in vitro test. Among the 50 transgenic lines analysed, some exhibited a production lower than the non-transgenic control, but others accumulated resveratrol from 5-100-fold. Moreover, in the latter clones, symptoms were highly reduced in response to infection. These results were a good indication that the combination of a pathogen-inducible promoter and a defence gene may increase tolerance against fungi in grapevine. The efficacy of this approach should be further tested by experiments conducted in the vineyard.

Acyltransferases↗

PubMed1994

A plant scaffold attached region detected close to a T-DNA integration site is active in mammalian cells.

Integration of foreign genes into plant genomes by the Agrobacterium T-DNA transfer system has been considered to occur at random. It has been speculated that the chromosomal structure of the integration site might affect the expression pattern of the introduced genes. To gain insight into the molecular structure of T-DNA integration sites and its possible impact on gene expression, we have examined plant DNA sequences in the vicinity of T-DNA borders. Analysis of a transgenic petunia plant containing a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene regulated by the hemoglobin promoter (PAR) from Parasponia andersonii revealed a scaffold attachment region (SAR) close to one T-DNA end. In addition to having strong binding affinities for both animal and plant nuclear scaffolds this petunia SAR element is as active in mammalian cells as the authentic elements from mammalian sources.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

PubMed1996

cis-regulatory elements responsible for quantitative regulation of the rice seed storage protein glutelin GluA-3 gene.

The 897 bp 5' flanking region of the rice storage protein glutelin gene (GluA-3) was analyzed to define cis-regulatory elements responsible for the seed specific expression by progressive 5' deletions and gain-of-function experiments using a truncated CaMV 35S promoter (-90/+9). These constructs were transcriptionally fused either to the firefly luciferase (LUX) or beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and introduced into tobacco. It was shown that a 121 bp sequence between -437 and -317 from the transcriptional start site is important for the quantitative regulation of the GluA-3 gene expression. This region contained at least two functionally different cis-regulatory elements. One acts as a general positive element and the other is involved in a specific negative regulation in non-seed tissues.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

The mode of expression and promoter analysis of the arcA gene, an auxin-regulated gene in tobacco BY-2 cells.

The arcA, a member of the G protein beta-subunit family, was isolated from tobacco BY-2 cells as an auxin-responsive gene. Characterization of arcA, which should help to elucidate the function of the gene product in the plant cells, was performed with emphasis on the mode of expression and the analysis of its promoter. Accumulation of the arcA message was detected only after treatments with auxins and not after treatments with other phytohormones or CdCl2, implying that responsiveness of arcA was exclusive to auxin. The putative arcA promoter region was fused to a reporter gene for beta-glucuronidase (GUS), and transient expression was analyzed in tobacco BY-2 cells. Two series of arcA promoter/GUS chimeric genes were constructed. One consisted of a set of 5' nested deletions of the arcA promoter connected to the gene for GUS and the other consisted of a variety of the arcA promoter fragments fused to a minimal promoter-GUS construct. The results indicated that the promoter sequence covering four sets of direct repeats (-562 to -167) was necessary for the sufficient response of arcA promoter to auxin in BY-2 cells. Moreover, irrespective of auxin treatment, elevated activity of GUS driven by this promoter fragment was detected, a result that implies that this region behaves an enhancer in BY-2 cells.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Analysis of the promoter of the auxin-inducible gene, parC, of tobacco.

The auxin-responsive region (AuxRR) in the promoter of the parC gene was analyzed in transgenic tobacco plants in which the 5' flanking region of the parC promoter was placed upstream of the gene for beta-glucuronidase (GUS). The AuxRR was located between nucleotides (nt) -226 and -54. Detailed dissection of this segment revealed that the presence of the non-contiguous sequences from nt -226 to -151 and from nt -84 to -54 was required for the expression of the auxin responsiveness of the parC promoter. The sequence from nt -226 to -151 was found to contain a sequence which resembles the as-1 element in the 35S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV). Although it has been reported that the as-1 element is involved in auxin responsiveness [Liu and Lam (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269: 668], we showed that introduction of a point mutation into the as-1-like sequence completely eliminated auxin responsiveness, a result that suggests that the sequence is indispensable for auxin responsiveness. However, the presence of the as-1-like sequence alone was not sufficient for auxin responsiveness, since the segment (nt -226 to -84) that included the as-1-like sequence failed to confer auxin responsiveness on the core promoter. It is possible that the two separately located sequences play specific roles in interactions with trans-factors that are required for the expression of the auxin responsiveness of the parC promoter.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1997

The expression of an aquaporin promoter from Mesembryanthemum crystallinum in tobacco.

The promoter region of the MipB gene encoding an aquaporin from Mesembryanthemum crystallinum was isolated and used in a transcriptional fusion to control uidA expression in tobacco. The sequence of the promoter was determined for 2 kb upstream of the translation initiation site. Three start sites were utilized with approximately equal frequency, located 176, 170, and 161 bases, respectively, upstream of the translation initiation site. As judged by analysis of GUS expression, promoter MipB retains its specificity in transgenic tobacco. In germinating seedlings, all cells showed GUS expression of different intensities with the strongest signals in root meristems. In older seedlings, GUS staining was observed in rapidly expanding cells--root and apical meristem, and lateral root primordia. In mature plants, strong GUS activity was located to glandular trichomes, subepidermal cells of the stem and petioles, to cells surrounding vascular tissues as well as in xylem parenchyma cells. In immature floral organs, GUS expression was strong in sepals, petals, stamen, and pistil. The intensity declined as they matured. In general, this promoter was active in rapidly expanding cells and cells with high water flux capacity, especially in the xylem parenchyma.

Aquaporins↗

PubMed1997

Temporal and spatial pattern of expression of the pea phenylalanine ammonia-lyase gene1 promoter in transgenic tobacco.

Genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) form a small multigene family with at least three members in pea. Tissue-specific expression of the promoter of a member of PAL gene family (PSPAL1) was investigated in the transgenic tobacco transformants carrying the different modes of chimeric fusion between the PSPAL1 promoter and a bacterial beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene. In stems, at least, strict correlation was found between steady-state levels of Gus-mRNA and enzyme activity. Significantly high level of GUS activity was observed in roots, particularly in meristematic tissues and the pigmented region of petals of transgenic tobacco carrying the translational fusion type B (-1,394 to +140 of PSPAL1 connected to Gus), followed by moderately high level of GUS activity carrying the translational fusion type A (-1,394 to +117). GUS expression in tissues of mature leaves, however, was very low in these constructs. Extremely low GUS activity was observed in the transformants of transcriptional fusion type (-1,394 to +5), whilst no activity was detected carrying non-transcription fusion type (-1,394 to -27). Furthermore, the pattern of the PSPAL1 expression was characterized in response to pathogen ingress and woundings in transgenic tobacco carrying the translational fusion type B. Woundings itself triggered marked expression of PSPAL1-driven GUS expression at the wounded sites. Inoculation of nonpathogens, Phytophthora capsici, P. boehmeriae and Erisiphe graminis f. sp. hordei, both caused rapid and very clear GUS expression zone along with the development of hypersensitive cell death area where callose was accumulated, however, the inoculation of a pathogen, P.nicotiana caused slow and hazy GUS expression zone along with the lesion development. These results suggest that the expression of pea PSPAL1 promoter is regulated in a similar fashion, at least in a part, in pea and transgenic tobacco, under the plant development and various environmental cues.

Gene Expression Regulation, Plant↗

PubMed1998

The identification of DNA binding factors specific for as-1-like sequences in auxin-responsive regions of parA, parB and parC.

We have identified the auxin-responsive region (Aux-RR) of the parA promoter; it is derived from a gene that is induced by auxin in tobacco mesophyll protoplasts. By analyses of gain-of-function and point mutations in transgenic tobacco plants, we showed that an as-1-like sequence was required, but not alone sufficient, for auxin responsiveness of the parA promoter, as has been also shown for the parC promoter in a recent study. A gel mobility shift assay revealed that the as-1-like sequence of the parA promoter bound specifically to the as-1 binding nuclear factor, ASF-1, while the as-1-like sequence of the parC promoter bound specifically to a novel nuclear factor named ALF-1 (as-1-like sequence binding factor-1). Since these bindings were correlated with auxin-induced activation of transcription, those results suggest that ALF-1 is a new nuclear factor involved in auxin responsiveness and that it is distinct from ASF-1. Furthermore, we found that an as-1-like sequence in the AuxRR of parB bound specifically to a tobacco nuclear factor, named ALF-2, which differed from ASF-1 and ALF-1. These results suggest that the auxin responsiveness of the auxin-inducible genes parA, parB and parC are regulated by different mechanisms, even though the cis-acting elements look similar.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Expression patterns of two genes for the delta-subunit of mitochondrial F1-ATP synthase from sweet potato in transgenic tobacco plants and cells.

Two nuclear genes, F1 delta-1 and F1 delta-2, coding for the delta-subunit of mitochondrial F1-ATP synthase, which corresponds to oligomycin-sensitivity conferring protein in animal and yeast mitochondria, were isolated from sweet potato. The gene for the delta-subunit was composed of 6 exons and these two genes shared high sequence similarities to each other not only in exons but also in introns and in the 5'-upstream regions. However, the 5'-upstream regions of F1 delta-1 and F1 delta-2 were distinguishable by the presence of novel sequences, designated Ins-1 and Ins-2, respectively. Ins-1 and Ins-2 contained a terminal direct repeat of 10 bp and 12 bp, respectively, and various forms of repeat sequences. The promoter fusion of both F1 delta-1 and F1 delta-2 with the GUS coding sequence gave expression of GUS activity in transformed tobacco BY-2 cells, although the levels of GUS activity and the patterns of expression during the growth of cells were different between the two. In transgenic tobacco plants, the two fusion genes showed similar levels of expression in leaves and stems, while F1 delta-2:GUS gave significantly higher levels of expression in roots than F1 delta-1:GUS. Deletion of Ins-1 from the 5'-upstream region of F1 delta-1:GUS did not affect the expression of the fusion gene in various organs of transgenic plants. However, it caused significant enhancement of expression in transformed tobacco BY-2 cells.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1995

The regulatory functions of the rolB and rolC genes of Agrobacterium rhizogenes are conserved in the homologous genes (Ngrol) of Nicotiana glauca in tobacco genetic tumors.

To compare patterns of expression between the Ngrol genes of N. glauca and the Rirol genes of Agrobacterium rhizogenes, we performed fluorometric and histochemical analysis of transgenic genetic tumors on the hybrid of Nicotiana glauca x N. langsdorffii (F1) that harbored a beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene fused to the promoter of NgrolB, NgrolC, RirolB or RirolC. The promoters of NgrolB and NgrolC had 2- to 3-fold lower activity than those of RirolB and RirolC. However, the changes in patterns of GUS activity caused by deletion of NgrolB and NgrolC promoters were similar to those of RirolB and RirolC promoters. This result suggests that the cis-acting sequences that regulate the level of expression of RirolB and RirolC are conserved in the NgrolB and NgrolC promoters. Furthermore, an auxin dependent (NAA-dependent) increase in GUS activity was observed in the case of NgroB-GUS and RirolB-GUS. Histochemical analysis showed GUS activity encoded by both NgrolB-GUS and RirolB-GUS in normal-type F1 transgenic plants was located in meristematic zones, while that encoded by NgrolC-GUS and RirolC-GUS was detected mainly in vascular systems of various organs. Thus, the patterns of expression of the Ngrol genes were the same as those of the Rirol genes in terms of promotion by auxin and tissue-specificity, indicating that regulatory mechanisms for both sets of genes have been conserved during the evolution of the genus Nicotiana after transfer from a progenitor of Agrobacterium to that of Nicotiana.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2000

Over-expression of tobacco knotted1-type class1 homeobox genes alters various leaf morphology.

We compared the phenotypes of transgenic tobacco plants over-expressing various knotted1-type class1 homeobox genes. All transformants showed abnormal leaf morphology, with the degree of abnormality depending upon the Nicotiana tabacum homeobox (NTH) gene that was over-expressed. Tobacco plants over-expressing NTH1 or NTH9 showed a relatively weak phenotype, while NTH15 and NTH20 over-expressing plants exhibited severe alterations, with occasional ectopic shoot formation on the leaves. Plants over-expressing NTH22 had a relatively severe phenotype, but did not form any ectopic shoots. These results indicate that all of the NTH genes can influence leaf development from the shoot apical meristem, but that the effect varies with the gene. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the NTH genes and comparison of the phenotypes of plants over-expressing them, we suggest that the kn1-type class1 family can be divided into two subgroups, and that the differences in their ability to induce the abnormal phenotype corresponds to the structures of their conserved domains.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

Expression of the PIP aquaporin promoter-MipA from the common ice plant in tobacco.

The reasons for the presence of a multitude of plasma membrane-localized water channels (PIP aquaporins) in plants may be functional differences in water (or other solute) transport, or in developmental, environmental or tissue-specific regulation of expression. We compared tissue- and cell-specific expression of McMipA, an abundantly expressed PIP from the common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum), with that of the previously characterized McMipB [Yamada et al. (1997) Plant Cell Physiol. 38: 1326]. The activity of a 2.2 kb DNA fragment containing the promoter region of McMipA in a fusion with the GUS coding region was studied in transgenic tobacco. The McMipA promoter was active in pericycle and cortex cells in roots and in phloem-associated cells and cells surrounding the pericycle in shoots. In green leaves, mesophyll cells and the minor veins showed GUS activity, but the major veins did not. In floral tissues, GUS activity was observed in the pistil and anthers of immature buds and the tip of the mature pistil and pollen. Neither the apical meristem nor root tip showed any GUS activity. The differences in tissue specificity between the McMipA and McMipB promoters indicated that the two PIPs, MC-MIPA and MC-MIPB, serve different functions in plants.

Aquaporins↗

PubMed2000

Characterization of gene expression of NsERFs, transcription factors of basic PR genes from Nicotiana sylvestris.

Three genes of NsERFs (EREBPs), transcription factors for GCC box of basic PR genes, were isolated from Nicotiana sylvestris. Analyses of transgenic tobacco carrying the NsERF promoter::GUS genes showed that expression of all NsERF genes in leaves was induced by ethylene. Sequence analyses indicated that the 5'-upstream region of NsERF3 gene has the GCC box. In contrast, the promoter regions of NsERF2 and 4 have no GCC box, whereas NsERF2 has a putative EIN3 binding site. Tissue/cell specific expression is also discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

Reduction to below threshold levels of glycolate oxidase activities in transgenic tobacco enhances photoinhibition during irradiation.

The effects of decreased flux in the glycolate pathway on photoinhibition was investigated in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. SR1) plants. These plants harbored a pumpkin cDNA for glycolate oxidase (GO), an enzyme in the glycolate pathway, under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Some transformants showed both reduced amounts and reduced activities of GO. The decrease of GO was enhanced at a later growth stage of these transformants, whereas no changes were observed in the amounts of other enzymes in the glycolate pathway, such as hydroxypyruvate reductase and serine glyoxylate aminotransferase. The phenotype grown under a low light condition (30 microE s(-1) m(-2)) resembled that of the wild type. Transformants with about 35% lower GO activity than wild type, had a lower Fv/Fm under 500 microE s(-1) m(-2) irradiation for 8 h. After 60 microE s(-1) m(-2) irradiation for 8 h, Fv/Fm was lowered in some transformants with less than 20% of the GO activity of the wild type. These results suggest that photosynthesis was susceptible to photoinhibition with reduction to below threshold levels of GO activities and that higher activities of GO are required under a higher irradiation. The increase in the electron transport rate (ETR) with increased irradiation was suppressed only in transformants that had GO activity one-third less than the wild type, suggesting that the regeneration of the substrate for the Calvin cycle was decreased only when there was an extreme reduction of GO. These results also suggest that the photosystem was disturbed when the concentration of the substrate for the Calvin cycle decreased until it became insufficient to receive the excess photon energy generated in each light environment.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Coat protein-mediated resistance in transgenic tobacco expressing the tobacco mosaic virus coat protein from tissue-specific promoters.

Coat protein-mediated resistance (CP-MR) was studied in transgenic Nicotiana tabacum 'Xanthi nn' and 'Xanthi NN' that express chimeric tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) coat protein (CP) gene constructs using two different tissue-specific promoters. The Phaseolus vulgaris pal2 promoter leads to gene expression in the upper leaf epidermis and the xylem, while the rolC promoter from Agrobacterium rhizogenes leads to gene expression in pholem and leaf hair tip cells. Tissue-specific gene expression was verified using the gusA(uidA) reporter gene, while accumulation of TMV CP was verified by Western blot analysis. Transgenic Xanthi nn plants harboring the pal2-CP gene construct were partially resistant to TMV infection. On Xanthi NN plants that expressed the pal2-CP gene construct, fewer necrotic lesions were formed after TMV inoculation compared to nontransformed control plants. The level of resistance, however, was substantially less than in plant lines that expressed TMV CP from the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. By contrast, expression of the rolC-CP construct did not confer resistance in either Xanthi nn or Xanthi NN. The results provide further evidence that CP-MR to systemic TMV infection in tobacco is probably due to inhibition of infection rather than to effects on long-distance spread through the phloem.

Capsid↗