ARS | Publication request: INCORPORATION OF AN ANTIFUNGAL PROTEIN GENE IN OAT VARIETIES BY GENETIC TRANSFORMATION

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

Technical Abstract: Crown rust is widespread and damaging disease of oat causing significant yield reduction. Improved resistance to crown rust in oats by traditional breeding has been race-specific and usually breaks down in time. Incorporation of genes encoding antifungal compounds, such as members of the thaumatin-like, PR-5 proteins, known as 'permatins', may produce durable crown rust resistance. Our objective is to transform oat with a permatin gene and to evaluate the transformants for resistance to crown rust. Oat embryogenic cultures initiated from varieties GP-1, Dane and Belle were co-transformed with the permatin gene and a selectable marker gene, NPT1 (Neomycin phosphotransferase) or GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) using microprojectile bombardment. Forty four putative permatin transformants have been regenerated so far. Preliminary PCR data has identified two independent transformed lines, further evaluation of the transformants are being conducted using Southern and western blots. Evaluation of resistance to crown rust will be conducted by inoculating the transgenic plants with rust spores.