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Characterization of transgenic Poncirus trifoliata overexpressing the ferric chelate reductase gene CjFRO2 from Citrus junos

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Biologia Plantarum

Abstract

Iron deficiency chlorosis occurs frequently in calcareous soils. The transformation of plants with ferric chelate reductase genes (FROs) provides a potential strategy to alleviate plant chlorosis under iron deficiency. A CjFRO2 gene isolated from Citrus junos Sieb. ex Tanaka was introduced into Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The transgene integration and expression were confirmed by PCR, Southern blot, and real-time PCR analyses. Hydroponic- and soil-grown transgenic plants were tested for their tolerance to iron deficiency. Compared with nontransgenic (NT) P. trifoliata plants, a rhizosphere acidification capacity in the transgenic lines increased, and a ferric chelate reductase activity in roots was up to 3.39- and 2.93-fold higher in a hydroponic solution and soil, respectively. A transgenic line TO-8, which reacted similarly in hydroponics and soil, appeared tolerant to the iron deficiency. Its leaf chlorophyll and ferrous ion content was significantly higher than in NT. These results indicate that tolerance to the iron deficiency in P. trifoliata could be improved through the genetic engineering.

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Abbreviations

Chl:

chlorophyll

GFP:

green fluorescence protein

IDC:

iron deficiency chlorosis

FCR:

ferric chelate reductase

FRO :

ferric chelate reductase gene

NT:

nontransgenic Poncirus trifoliate

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Citrus Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing, 400712, P.R. China

    A. H. Peng, X. F. Liu, Y. R. He, L. Z. Xu, T. G. Lei, L. X. Yao, L. Cao & S. C. Chen

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  1. A. H. Peng
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  2. X. F. Liu
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  3. Y. R. He
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  4. L. Z. Xu
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  5. T. G. Lei
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  6. L. X. Yao
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  7. L. Cao
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  8. S. C. Chen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. C. Chen.

Additional information

Acknowledgements: We thank Prof. Xiaochun Zhao from the Citrus Research Institute of the Southwest University for reading critically the manuscript. This research was supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2011AA100205)

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Peng, A.H., Liu, X.F., He, Y.R. et al. Characterization of transgenic Poncirus trifoliata overexpressing the ferric chelate reductase gene CjFRO2 from Citrus junos . Biol Plant 59, 654–660 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-015-0543-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-015-0543-9

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