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Anthocyanin production as a potential visual selection marker during plant transformation
A J Kortstee1, S A Khan, C Helderman
1Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 386, 6700 AJ Wageningen, The Netherlands. anne.kortstee@wur.nl
Transgenic Research
|February 23, 2011
Summary
A mutant MYB10 gene from apple induces anthocyanin production, enabling its use as a visual marker for plant transformation in apple, strawberry, and potato. This offers an alternative to traditional chemical markers like kanamycin resistance.
Area of Science:
- Plant biotechnology
- Molecular genetics
- Agricultural science
Background:
- Traditional plant transformation relies on chemical selectable markers, such as kanamycin resistance, which can have limitations.
- Visible markers are desirable for efficient screening of transformed plant tissues and whole plants.
- Anthocyanin production, regulated by genes like MYB10, offers a potential visual cue for successful transformation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the apple MYB10 gene as a visible selectable marker for plant transformation.
- To assess the efficacy of MYB10 in apple, strawberry, and potato transformation.
- To compare MYB10 as a marker against conventional chemical markers like kanamycin resistance.
Main Methods:
- Introduction of the MYB10 gene (promoter, coding region, terminator) into apple, strawberry, and potato via transformation.
- Visual scoring of transformed tissues (calli, shoots) and plants for red coloration (anthocyanin production).
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis to confirm MYB10 gene presence in transformed tissues.
- Quantification of anthocyanin content in transformed potato tissues using acid methanol extraction.
Main Results:
- Transformed apple explants showed red calli and shoots, with PCR confirming MYB10 presence in red tissues.
- Not all MYB10-containing shoots were red, indicating potential regulatory nuances.
- Strawberry plants transformed with MYB10 exhibited anthocyanin accumulation in leaves and roots.
- While not visibly apparent in vitro, potato tissues with MYB10 showed up to fourfold higher anthocyanin content compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- The apple MYB10 gene effectively induces anthocyanin production and can serve as a visible selectable marker in apple and strawberry transformation.
- MYB10 shows potential as a marker in potato transformation, even if visual cues are less pronounced, due to increased anthocyanin levels.
- Anthocyanin production mediated by MYB10 offers a viable, visually scorable alternative to kanamycin resistance for plant transformation.
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