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Transge ne inheritance, segregation and expression in bread wheat

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Abstract

Transgene integration, inheritance and expression were studied in six transgenic wheat (Triticum aestivum) lines produced by co-bombardment with two plasmids containing marker genes and genes encoding HMW subunits of wheat glutenin, respectively. Transgene insertion number ranged from 1 to approximately 15. Within a transgenic locus the majority of plasmid copies were found at dispersed genomic sites separated by intervening DNA. However, evidence was obtained for the arrangement of introduced plasmid copies as concatamers and for plasmid truncation and rearrangement. Transgenes were frequently located in genetically unlinked chromosome sites, resulting in independent segregation of loci among progeny. In two lines this gave rise to progeny containing only the gene of interest. Transgenes were inherited in the T1 generation as a dominant trait although Mendelian segregation ratios were not always observed. No evidence of co-suppression of endogenous HMW subunits was observed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IACR-Rothamsted, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, U.K

    Leonie Rooke & Susan H. Steele

  2. DuPont Wheat Transformation Laboratory, IACR-Rothamsted, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, U.K

    Pilar Barcelo & Paul A. Lazzeri

  3. IACR-Long Ashton Research Station, Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bristol, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9AF, U.K

    Peter R. Shewry

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  1. Leonie Rooke
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  2. Susan H. Steele
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  3. Pilar Barcelo
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  4. Peter R. Shewry
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  5. Paul A. Lazzeri
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Rooke, L., Steele, S.H., Barcelo, P. et al. Transge ne inheritance, segregation and expression in bread wheat. Euphytica 129, 301–309 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022296017801

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