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Stable genetic transformation of castor (Ricinus communis L.) via particle gun-mediated gene transfer using embryo axes from mature seeds

  • Genetic Transformation and Hybridization
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Abstract

The first successful attempt to produce stably transformed castor plants through direct gene transfer using particle gun (BioRad) is described. Decotyledonated embryos from mature seeds were germinated and the embryonic axis was induced to proliferate on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l−1 thidiazuron (TDZ) and subjected to bombardment after 5–7 days of pre-incubation. The physical parameters for transient transformation were optimized using the UidA gene encoding β-glucuronidase (GUS) as the reporter gene and with hygromycin-phosphotransferase (hptII) gene as selectable marker. Statistical analysis revealed that helium pressure, target distance, osmoticum, microcarrier type and size, DNA quantity, explant type and number of bombardments had significant influence on transformation efficiency, while the effect of genotype was non-significant. Of the different variables evaluated, embryonic axes from mature seeds, a target distance of 6.0 cm, helium pressure of 1,100 psi, 0.6 μm gold microcarriers, single time bombardment and with both pre- and post-osmoticum were found ideal. Selection of putative transformants was done on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l−1 BA and hygromycin (20, 40 and 60 mg l−1) for 3 cycles. The stable integration of the incorporated gene into castor genome was confirmed with PCR and Southern analysis of T0 and T1 plants. Transformation frequency in terms of plants grown to maturity and showing the presence of the introduced genes was 1.4%. The present results demonstrate the possibility of transformation of embryonic meristematic tissues of castor through particle delivery system.

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Abbreviations

BA:

N 6-Benzyladenine

DMRT:

Duncan’s multiple range test

GUS:

β-Glucuronidase

HPT:

Hygromycin-phosphotransferase

MS:

Murashige and Skoog basal salt media

NAA:

∝-Naphthaleneacetic acid

NPT:

Neomycin phosphotransferase

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

TDZ:

1-Phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl) urea (thidiazuron)

X-Gluc :

5-Bromo, 4-chloro, 3-indolyl, β-d-glucuronide

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank The Project Director, Directorate of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad for extending all facilities for carrying out the work and D. Lakshmi and P. Kanaka Mahalakshmi for their excellent technical help. The financial support from Andhra Pradesh-Netherlands Biotechnology Programme is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Crop Improvement Section, Directorate of Oilseeds Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, 500-030, India

    M. Sailaja, M. Tarakeswari & M. Sujatha

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  1. M. Sailaja
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  2. M. Tarakeswari
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  3. M. Sujatha
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Correspondence to M. Sujatha.

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Communicated by R. Rose.

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Sailaja, M., Tarakeswari, M. & Sujatha, M. Stable genetic transformation of castor (Ricinus communis L.) via particle gun-mediated gene transfer using embryo axes from mature seeds. Plant Cell Rep 27, 1509–1519 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-008-0580-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-008-0580-3

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