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Regulation of nuclear genes encoding chloroplast proteins in transgenic plants.

Transgenic plants have been particularly useful in studying nuclear genes encoding for photosynthetic functions. The expression of these genes and their chimeric constructs in transgenic plants faithfully mimics their natural counterparts. The use of sensitive chimeric reporter genes has enabled localizing the activity of genes encoding photosynthetic proteins to individual cells. Cab and rbcS transgenes have been shown to retain sensitivity to light quality, which is modulated by phytochrome. Conditional light activation under the influence of a circadian rhythm has been shown for Cab transgenes. Transgenic plants containing truncated promoters have helped delineate cis-regulatory positive and negative elements involved in light-mediated transcriptional induction and tissue specificity.

Base Sequence

Genetically engineered protection against viruses in transgenic plants.

Transgenic plants carrying nucleotide sequences derived from plant viruses can exhibit increased resistance to viral disease. Many viral sequences confer some level of either resistance to infection or suppression of disease symptoms (tolerance). These include segments of viral genomes encoding capsid or coat proteins, sequences encoding proteins that are or may be subunits of the viral replicase, sequences incapable of encoding proteins, entire genomes of defective interfering viruses and satellite viruses, and complete genomes of mild strains of virus. The transgene may act on initiation of infection, replication of virus, spread of the infection throughout the plant, and symptom development. More than one of these processes can be impaired by a single transgene derived from a single viral gene. The level of protection ranges from very low to high, while the breadth of protection ranges from very narrow, where protection is only observed against closely related strains of the virus from which the transgene was derived, to moderately broad, extending to other viruses. Data are insufficient to establish a molecular mechanism of resistance for most of the described examples. In addition, although the use of a particular segment of the viral genome confers resistance in one virus-host system, analogous sequences from a different virus in another host may be ineffective.

Genetic Engineering

[Molecular genetics and biotechnology in medicinal plants: studies by transgenic plants].

The advances in molecular genetics and biotechnology in the field of medicinal plant research are discussed with focusing on the works using transgenic plants. Differentiated organ cultures and transgenic teratomas, incited by the infection with mutants of Agrobacterium Ti and Ri plasmids, were established in quinolizidine-alkaloid producing plants and Solanaceae plants. These cultured cells were used for the production and bioconversion of specific alkaloids produced in these plants. The methods of integration of foreign genes into medicinal plants were developed using an Ri binary vector. The mode of gene expression driven by TR1'-2' promoters was elucidated in transgenic medicinal plants, e.g., Nicotiana tabacum, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Digitalis purpurea and Atropa belladonna. The genes for herbicide resistance, mammalian cytochrome P450 and bacterial beta-hydroxydecanoylthioester dehydrase were transferred and expressed in plants either to confer herbicide-resistant trait or to change the pattern of metabolites. The cDNA clones encoding cysteine synthase responsible for sulfur assimilation and biosynthesis of non-protein amino acids were isolated and characterized from Spinacea oleracea and Citrullus vulgaris. The functional lysine residue was identified by site-directed mutagenesis experiments. An over-expression system in Escherichia coli was constructed for the bacterial production of the plant specific non-protein amino acids. We made transgenic N. tabacum integrated with sense- and antisense-constructs of cysteine synthase cDNA driven by cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter for the purpose of genetic manipulation of biosynthetic flow of cysteine in plants. The future prospects of medicinal plant research are also discussed in the context of modern plant molecular biology.

Alkaloids

Untranslatable transcripts of the tobacco etch virus coat protein gene sequence can interfere with tobacco etch virus replication in transgenic plants and protoplasts.

Transgenic tobacco plants which express untranslatable sense or antisense forms of the tobacco etch virus potyvirus (TEV) coat protein (CP) gene sequence have been generated. One of seven transgenic plant lines expressing a CP gene antisense transcript showed an attenuation of symptoms when inoculated with TEV. Three of ten transgenic plant lines expressing untranslatable sense transcripts did not develop symptoms when inoculated with TEV. These lines were resistant to either aphid or mechanically transmitted TEV. In contrast to CP-mediated resistance reported for other viruses, resistance was (1) mediated by an RNA molecule; (2) TEV-specific (i.e., "broad-spectrum resistance" was not observed); (3) independent of inoculum levels; (4) not dependent on plant size and; (5) due to decreased levels of virus replication. Protoplast experiments were used to demonstrate that resistant plant lines did not support the production of virus protein and progeny virus at wild-type levels.

Animals

Immunodetection of the 33 K/92 K polymerase proteins in cymbidium ringspot virus-infected and in transgenic plant tissue extracts.

An antiserum was raised against the 33 K protein encoded by the 5' proximal gene of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus RNA. This antiserum reacts specifically with the 33 K and 92 K proteins, which constitute the viral replicase, in CyRSV-infected Nicotiana benthamiana plants and in transgenic plants transformed with the full-length replicase gene. In inoculated leaves of infected plants, synthesis of the 33 K/92 K proteins stops ten days after inoculation, whereas in newly produced systemically infected leaves there was continuous production of these proteins. In transgenic plants, both proteins were detected showing that readthrough of the termination codon of the 33 K protein does not depend on the presence of the replicating virus. The subcellular localization of the 33 K/92 K proteins is similar in infected and transgenic plants. No correlation was found between the level of expression of integrated virus gene and level of resistance to the challenging virus.

Amino Acid Sequence

Expression of E. coli inorganic pyrophosphatase in transgenic plants alters photoassimilate partitioning.

Transgenic plants were constructed expressing a novel cytosolic inorganic pyrophosphatase in order to reduce the cytosolic pyrophosphate content. To this end the Escherichia coli gene ppa encoding inorganic pyrophosphatase was cloned between the 35S CaMV promoter and the poly(A) site of the octopine synthase gene and transferred into tobacco and potato plants by Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. Regenerated plants were tested for the expression of the ppa gene by Northern blots and activity gels. Plants expressing active inorganic pyrophosphatase showed a dramatic change in photoassimilate partitioning. In both transgenic tobacco and potato plants the ratio between soluble sugars and starch was increased by about 3-4-fold in source leaves as compared with the wild-type. However, whereas source leaves of transgenic tobacco plants accumulated much higher levels of glucose (up to 68-fold), fructose (up to 24-fold), sucrose (up to 12-fold) and starch (up to 8-fold) this was not observed in potato plants where the change in assimilate partitioning in source leaves was due to an increase of about 2-fold in sucrose and a reduction in starch content. Expression of the cytosolic inorganic pyrophosphatase in tobacco results in stunted growth of vegetatively growing plants due to a reduced internode distance. Upon flowering the transgenic plants increase their growth rate, reaching almost the same height as control plants at the end of the growth period. Old source leaves accumulate up to 100-fold more soluble sugars than control leaves. This increase in soluble sugars is accompanied by a reduction in chlorophyll content (up to 85%). Transgenic potato plants showed a less dramatic change in their growth behaviour. Plants were slightly reduced in size, with stems more highly branched. Tuber number increased 2-3-fold, but tuber weight was lower resulting in no net increase in fresh weight.

Base Sequence

Immunodetection of the plum pox virus helper component in infected plants and expression of its gene in transgenic plants.

Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi) have been transformed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens vectors, with cDNAs corresponding to the plum pox virus (PPV) cistron 2 encoding helper component (HC-Pro) and with the first two and half cistrons of the PPV genome. Presence of the HC-Pro in PPV-infected plants and transgenic plants transformed with the gene coding for this protein was investigated using specific polyclonal antibodies produced against the PPV HC-Pro. The results suggest that two proteases are involved in the processing of the PPV N-terminal polyprotein to yield a protein of 48 k (HC-Pro). HC-Pro autolytically cleaves at its carboxyl-terminus and a proteolytic activity, probably associated with the protein (P1) encoded by the cistron 1, is required for the cleavage in planta between the proteins derived from cistrons 1 and 2.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Expression of hepatitis B surface antigen in transgenic plants.

Tobacco plants were genetically transformed with the gene encoding hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) linked to a nominally constitutive promoter. Enzyme-linked immunoassays using a monoclonal antibody directed against human serum-derived HBsAg revealed the presence of HBsAg in extracts of transformed leaves at levels that correlated with mRNA abundance. This suggests that there were no major inherent limitations of transcription or translation of this foreign gene in plants. Recombinant HBsAg was purified from transgenic plants by immunoaffinity chromatography and examined by electron microscopy. Spherical particles with an average diameter of 22 nm were observed in negatively stained preparations. Sedimentation of transgenic plant extracts in sucrose and cesium chloride density gradients showed that the recombinant HBsAg and human serum-derived HBsAg had similar physical properties. Because the HBsAg produced in transgenic plants is antigenically and physically similar to the HBsAg particles derived from human serum and recombinant yeast, which are used as vaccines, we conclude that transgenic plants hold promise as low-cost vaccine production systems.

Cloning, Molecular

Translatability of a plant-mRNA strongly influences its accumulation in transgenic plants.

Current knowledge of parameters affecting RNA stability is very restricted in plants. Here we investigated factors which might contribute to the stability of a particular plant messenger RNA. To this end, insertion and deletion mutants were made in two different exons and an intron of the transcribed region of a well characterised patatin gene (pgT5). Mutant genes were expressed under the control of a strong leaf-stem specific promoter (ST-LS1) and analysed in vivo in transgenic tobacco plants. Northern analysis revealed the importance of the translatability of the mature messenger RNA with respect to its accumulation in transgenic plants. Enlargement of the 3' non-translated region by several hundred base-pairs reduced the steady state mRNA level slightly; the introduction of a stop codon leading to premature termination of translation of the RNA led to a dramatic decrease of the steady state mRNA level.

Base Sequence

Broad-spectrum virus resistance in transgenic plants expressing pokeweed antiviral protein.

Exogenous application of pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP), a ribosome-inhibiting protein found in the cell walls of Phytolacca americana (pokeweed), protects heterologous plants from viral infection. A cDNA clone for PAP was isolated and introduced into tobacco and potato plants by transformation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Transgenic plants that expressed either PAP or a double mutant derivative of PAP showed resistance to infection by different viruses. Resistance was effective against both mechanical and aphid transmission. Analysis of the vacuum infiltrate of leaves expressing PAP showed that it is enriched in the intercellular fluid. Analysis of resistance in transgenic plants suggests that PAP confers viral resistance by inhibiting an early event in infection. Previous methods for creating virus-resistant plants have been specific for a particular virus or closely related viruses. To protect plants against more than one virus, multiple genes must be introduced and expressed in a single transgenic line. Expression of PAP in transgenic plants offers the possibility of developing resistance to a broad spectrum of plant viruses by expression of a single gene.

Base Sequence

Molecular characterization and biological function of the movement protein of tobacco mosaic virus in transgenic plants.

We previously demonstrated, in transgenic tobacco plants, that the role of the movement protein (MP) of tobacco mosaic virus is to facilitate the cell-to-cell spread of viral progeny during infection. An analysis of different tissues of these transgenic plants indicated that the MP accumulated in leaf, stem, and root tissue. The highest levels were detected in older leaves. The relative levels of MP in leaf tissue from transgenic plants were equivalent to, or higher than, the levels of MP in tobacco mosaic virus-infected leaf tissue. Results of subcellular fractionation of homogenates of transgenic leaf tissue showed that the MP was most abundant in the cell wall fraction of older leaves and that the protein remained at high levels in the cell wall fraction as the leaves continued to age. Significant levels of the MP were detected in a crude membrane/organelle fraction and a soluble fraction in younger leaves but decreased to low levels in older leaves. These results suggest that the MP accumulates and is stable in cell walls. We have previously shown that the MP modifies the molecular exclusion limit of plasmodesmata, which is consistent with the hypothesis that plant viruses move from cell to cell through altered plasmodesmata. We show here that the ability of the tobacco mosaic virus MP to modify the molecular exclusion limit of plasmodesmata in tobacco depends on the developmental stage of the leaf. The implications of these findings on understanding virus movement and how plasmodesmata function are discussed.

Capsid Proteins

An N-proximal sequence of the alfalfa mosaic virus movement protein is necessary for association with cell walls in transgenic plants.

We have made transgenic tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum, cv. Xanthi nc) expressing the movement protein (P3, 300 amino acids) of alfalfa mosaic virus (A1MV) and two N-terminally deleted proteins lacking respectively 12 and 77 amino acids of the P3 sequence (P3 delta[1-12] and P3 delta[1-77]). The same proteins were expressed in recombinant yeast. By subcellular fractionation, the full-length P3 protein expressed by transgenic plants was found to be associated with cell walls as well as with cytoplasmic particulate material, as was the wild type movement protein expressed by A1MV-infected tobacco plants. P3 delta[1-12] behaved similarly but P3 delta[1-77] was found only in the cytoplasm. It thus appears that a polypeptide domain located between amino acids 13 and 77 of the P3 sequence is necessary for association of the protein with cell walls.

Cloning, Molecular

Replication of tomato golden mosaic virus DNA B in transgenic plants expressing open reading frames (ORFs) of DNA A: requirement of ORF AL2 for production of single-stranded DNA.

Tomato golden mosaic geminivirus has a genome of two single-stranded (ss) DNA components, A and B. An almost identical 'common' region in DNA A and DNA B is thought to contain sequence elements controlling replication and transcription. Hence investigation of sequences important for DNA replication by in vitro mutagenesis is complicated by possible effects on the transcription of genes for replication proteins. To overcome this problem, transgenic plants expressing open reading frames (ORFs) of DNA A from an enhanced cauliflower mosaic virus 35S RNA promoter were constructed and tested for their ability to support the replication of DNA B and DNA B mutants. The results show that plants transgenic for ORF AL1 are able to support the replication of the double-stranded (ds) forms of DNA B, but that ORF AL2 is required in addition to produce ssDNA B. ORFs AL3, BL1 or BR1 were not required for replication of ds or ssDNA B. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time that essential replication proteins of a geminivirus have been expressed constitutively from a plant genome without giving rise to replicating DNA A molecules, thereby allowing DNA B to replicate alone. Such transgenic plants should enable not only the mutational analysis of sequence elements within the replication origin region, but also the construction of a new generation of vectors for gene amplification in plants, based on a minimal virus replicon.

DNA Probes

Increased resistance to oxidative stress in transgenic plants that overexpress chloroplastic Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase.

Transgenic tobacco plants that express a chimeric gene that encodes chloroplast-localized Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) from pea have been developed. To investigate whether increased expression of chloroplast-targeted SOD could alter the resistance of photosynthesis to environmental stress, these plants were subjected to chilling temperatures and moderate (500 mumol of quanta per m2 per s) or high (1500 mumol of quanta per m2 per s) light intensity. During exposure to moderate stress, transgenic SOD plants retained rates of photosynthesis approximately 20% higher than untransformed tobacco plants, implicating active oxygen species in the reduction of photosynthesis during chilling. Unlike untransformed plants, transgenic SOD plants were capable of maintaining nearly 90% of their photosynthetic capacity (determined by their photosynthetic rates at 25 degrees C) following exposure to chilling at high light intensity for 4 hr. These plants also showed reduced levels of light-mediated cellular damage from the superoxide-generating herbicide methyl viologen. These results demonstrate that SOD is a critical component of the active-oxygen-scavenging system of plant chloroplasts and indicate that modification of SOD expression in transgenic plants can improve plant stress tolerance.

Base Sequence

Reduction of tobacco mosaic virus accumulation in transgenic plants producing non-functional viral transport proteins.

Transgenic plants producing the 30K temperature-sensitive transport protein (TP) of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) mutant Ni2519 (affecting cell-to-cell transport) were found to: (i) be susceptible to wild-type TMV U1 at 24 degrees C (a permissive temperature for Ni2519 TP), (ii) acquire a certain level of resistance to TMV U1 accumulation when maintained at 33 degrees C (a non-permissive temperature for Ni2519 TP) and (iii) lose the resistance to wild-type TMV after their transfer from 33 degrees C to 24 degrees C. It is suggested that reversible temperature-dependent conformational changes in Ni2519 TP are responsible for these phenomena and that production of a TP which is only partially functional in transgenic plants confers on these plants a resistance to the virus owing to reduction of the level of cell-to-cell transport. Transgenic tobacco plants producing the 32K TP of brome mosaic virus (BMV) acquired resistance to TMV U1 suggesting that BMV TP is partially functional in tobacco plants.

Biological Transport

Biosafety of kanamycin-resistant transgenic plants.

Kanamycin resistance is one of the most frequently used selection markers for obtaining transgenic plants. The introduction of these transgenic plants into agricultural practice will cause the kanamycin resistance gene and the gene product to be present on a large scale. The desirability of this situation is analysed. The nature, properties and applications of the antibiotic kanamycin are briefly reviewed, as are the mechanisms of kanamycin resistance. It is argued that the gene used for resistance is an excellent choice because of the high substrate specificity of the enzyme encoded. Human or veterinary antibiotic therapies will not be compromised. Also, the physico-chemical characteristics of the antibiotic exclude the existence of selective conditions in the environment. Therefore, a transgenic plant or any other organism that might have acquired the gene will not get any selective advantage because of this gene. Evidence further suggests there is no toxicity or predictable harm of both gene or gene product for human or animal consumption. Full legislative clearance of this transgenic trait is therefore acceptable.

Acetyltransferases

[Testing transgenic plants using the polymerase chain reaction].

A test system for selecting transgenic plants based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been proposed. It is applicable to primary screening of transgenic plants obtained by cocultivation with Agrobacterium which contains any vector carrying neomycin phosphotransferase genes from transposon Tn5 and Streptococcus (for example pBIN19). These genes confer kanamycin resistance in plants and bacteria respectively. The absence of strong homology between these two genes allows one to perform two PCRs in the same reaction mixture. Thus simultaneous selection of transgenic plants and test for contamination with Agrobacterium are possible. We have also proposed a simple procedure for preparing small samples of plant DNA suitable for PCR detection.

Base Sequence

Function of phytochrome A in potato plants as revealed through the study of transgenic plants.

We have generated transgenic potato plants (Solanum tuberosum) containing the potato phytochrome protein encoded by the PHYA gene cDNA (phyA) in sense or antisense orientation under the control of the 35S cauliflower mosaic virus promoter. Plants with increased and decreased phyA levels were analyzed. When grown under white light, development and growth of sprouts and plants were barely distinguishable from wild type. Under continuous far-red light, stem extension, leaf expansion, and hook opening of sprouts were accelerated in phyA overexpressors and delayed in antisense plants. Sprouts with reduced phyA levels were less sensitive to red light with regard to stem extension and expression of the small subunit genes for ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase. Under low red light:far-red light ratios, increased phyA levels reduced the stem extension component of the shade-avoidance response, whereas decreased levels led to an increase in the response.

Amino Acid Sequence