Heterologous expression of the mutated melon ethylene receptor gene Cm-ERS1/H70A produces stable sterility in transgenic lettuce ( Lactuca sativa)

• Published in: Journal of plant physiology Vol. 164; no. 4; pp. 514 - 520
• Main Authors: Takada, Keita, Watanabe, Shin, Sano, Tsunenori, Ma, Biao, Kamada, Hiroshi, Ezura, Hiroshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Jena Elsevier GmbH 01.04.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agrobacterium; Agrobacterium tumefaciens - genetics; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; Classical and quantitative genetics. Population genetics. Molecular genetics; Cucumis melo; Cucurbitaceae - genetics; DNA Primers - genetics; DNA, Plant - genetics; ethylene; ethylene receptor; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression; Generalities. Genetics. Plant material; Genes, Plant; Genetic Vectors; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; Lactuca - genetics; Lactuca - growth & development; Lactuca - physiology; Lactuca sativa; lettuce; Lettuce transformation; Melon ethylene receptor gene ( Cm-ERS1); melons; Molecular genetics; Mutated Cm-ERS1 gene ( H70A); Mutation; plant biochemistry; plant fertility; plant genetics; plant physiology; Plant Proteins - genetics; Plants, Genetically Modified; receptors; Receptors, Cell Surface - genetics; Reproduction - genetics; seed productivity; Sterility; Transformation, Genetic; transgenes; transgenic plants; Lettuce transformation; MS medium; Mutated Cm-ERS1 gene ( H70A); Melon ethylene receptor gene ( Cm-ERS1); Sterility; RT-PCR; Gene; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Ethylene; Spermatophyta; Compositae; Melon ethylene receptor gene (Cm-ERS1); Lactuca sativa; Mutated Cm-ERS1 gene (H70A)
• ISSN: 0176-1617; 1618-1328
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2006.10.003

The mutated melon ethylene receptor gene Cm-ERS1/H70A was introduced into tobacco and induced stable sterility in transgenic lines. This gene contains a missense mutation that converts the His 70 residue to Ala in the melon ethylene receptor gene Cm-ERS1. To test the applicability of this inducible sterility system to other plants, lettuce ( Lactuca sativa) was transformed with the gene using Agrobacterium, and putative transformants containing Cm-ERS1/H70A were obtained. Thirteen randomly selected putative transformants were grown in a growth room under constant conditions, and seven of the lines showed sterility or significantly reduced fertility. DNA gel blot analysis confirmed the integration of the Cm-ERS1/H70A gene into the genomes of the putative transformants, and RT-PCR and protein gel blot analysis confirmed the expression of Cm-ERS1/H70A mRNA and protein in all of the transformants. Five transformants showing sterility or reduced fertility when grown in a growth room under constant conditions were randomly selected to be grown in an open-air greenhouse under various environmental conditions. All five showed stable sterility under the various conditions. These results suggest that Cm-ERS1/H70A can induce sterility in heterologous transgenic plants.