ARS | Publication request: TRANSFORMATION OF BARLEY WITH A PERMATIN (THAUMATIN-LIKE) GENE IN THE SENSEAND ANTISENSE ORIENTATIONS

Submitted to: Congress on In Vitro Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 1, 1998
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: In recent years, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) has been challenged by Fusarium outbreaks in the upper Midwest. Fusarium infection reduces seed yield and makes seeds unfit for use in food, feed and beverages. One defense against infections is the synthesis of pathogenesis-related proteins (PRPs). PRPs are synthesized in response to infections and/or are edeposited in fruits and storage organs during normal development. PRPs ar classified into five families. PR-5 proteins include thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs). A group of TLPs permatins has been found in barley and other cereal seeds. Further knowledge of their properties could lead to more effective antifungal strategies. Genes for permatin proteins from the starchy endosperm of barley and oats were cloned and used to transform barley in the sense and antisense orientations. Transformation was done using microprojectile bombardment. Excised immature embryos of barley cv. Golden Promise were used as target material. After the bombardment, the embryos were cultured on callus induction medium with a selective agent, bialaphos. After four subcultures, resistant callus cultures were transferred on regeneration medium with bialaphos. Green plantlets were transferred into Magenta boxes containing rooting medium with bialaphos. When the plantlets reached the top of the box they were transferred in soil. The effects on growth and permatin expression will be discussed.