Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 18.2
Reporter genes used in wheat transformation.
Common
Name
Reporter Gene (Source)/
Encoded Protein
Main Uses in Wheat
Transformation
Assays
Advantages
Disadvantages
References
a
GUS
uidA (E. coli)/
β
Histochemical staining
for
in situ
localization;
fl uorescence for
quantifi cation
Patterns of promoter
activity (Plate 33);
marker for transformed
cells and tissues
Product of histochemical
reaction, insoluble,
remains at site of
reaction
Need to get substrate
into cells; cells
damaged and killed
by assay
Jefferson et al.
(1987); Stoger
et al. (1999b)
-glucuronidase enzyme
GFP
Gfp
(jellyfi sh)/green
fl uorescence protein
Fluoresces in response
to blue light
Marker for transformed
cells and tissues (Plate
32c)
Nondestructive assay,
only light needed to
visualize
Photosynthetic and
many other wheat
tissues autofl uoresce
at similar wavelengths
Chalfi e et al.
(1994); Jordan
(2000)
Luciferase
Luc
(fi refl y)/
luciferase
Converts substrate to
luminescence in
presence of ATP
Indicator of gene
expression
Short-lived, so gives
picture of current, not
cumulative, expression
Need to get substrate
into cells
Ow et al. (1986);
Lonsdale et al.
(1998)
Anthocyanin
C1
B-Peru
or
Lc
(Maize)/myb
and basic Helix-loop-helix
transcription factors
+
Visual color change
Marker for transformed
cells and tissues
Nondestructive visual
assay, no substrate
needed
Two genes usually
required
Goff et al. (1992);
Doshi et al.
(2007)
a
First reference is for early description of reporter gene(s); second reference is an example of its use in transformed wheat.
