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Genetic transformation of selected mature cork oak (Quercus suber L.) trees

  • Genetic Transformation and Hybridization
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Abstract

A transformation system for selected mature cork oak (Quercus suber L.) trees using Agrobacterium tumefaciens has been established. Embryos obtained from recurrent proliferating embryogenic masses were inoculated with A. tumefaciens strains EHA105, LBA4404 or AGL1 harbouring the plasmid pBINUbiGUSint [carrying the neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) and β-glucuronidase (uidA) genes]. The highest transformation efficiency (4%) was obtained when freshly isolated explants were inoculated with A. tumefaciens strain AGL1. Evidence of stable transgene integration was obtained by PCR for the nptII and uidA genes, Southern blotting and expression of the uidA gene. The transgenic embryos were germinated and successfully transferred to soil.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2a–d
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Fig. 5a, b

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Abbreviations

BA:

N 6-Benzyladenine

GUS:

β-Glucuronidase

MSSH:

Expression-proliferation medium

NAA:

α-Naphthaleneacetic acid

nptII :

Neomycin phosphotransferase gene

uidA :

β-Glucuronidase gene

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. J.M. Martín-Alonso for his technical support and Dr. J. Fernández-Humara for revision of the manuscript. R. Álvarez is supported by a FICYT research fellowship funded by Plan Investigación, Desarrollo Tecnológico e Innovación de Asturias 2001–2004 of the Gobierno del Principado de Asturias.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, University of Oviedo, C/. Catedrático Rodrigo Uría s/n, 33011, Oviedo, Spain

    R. Álvarez, P. Alonso, M. Cortizo & R. J. Ordás

  2. Instituto Madrileño de Investigación Agraria y Alimentaria (IMIA), Finca “El Encín”, Aptdo. 127, Alcalá de Henares, 28080, Madrid, Spain

    C. Celestino, I. Hernández & M. Toribio

Authors
  1. R. Álvarez
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  2. P. Alonso
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  3. M. Cortizo
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  4. C. Celestino
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  5. I. Hernández
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  6. M. Toribio
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  7. R. J. Ordás
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. J. Ordás.

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Communicated by L. Peña

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Álvarez, R., Alonso, P., Cortizo, M. et al. Genetic transformation of selected mature cork oak (Quercus suber L.) trees. Plant Cell Rep 23, 218–223 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-004-0810-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-004-0810-2

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