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Published on: July 1, 2018
Synthetic chromosome platforms in plants
Robert T Gaeta1, Rick E Masonbrink, Lakshminarasimhan Krishnaswamy
1Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
Annual Review of Plant Biology
|December 6, 2011
Summary
Synthetic chromosomes enable stacking multiple genes independently of the plant genome. This technology, combined with haploid breeding, facilitates easier gene transfer for agricultural and biotechnological applications.
Area of Science:
- Plant genetics
- Synthetic biology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Synthetic chromosomes offer a method to independently integrate multiple transgenes into a plant's genome.
- Combining synthetic chromosomes with haploid breeding simplifies the transfer of numerous transgenes across plant varieties.
- Centromere formation's epigenetic nature presents challenges in synthetic chromosome production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the utility of synthetic chromosomes for stacking transgenes.
- To investigate the potential of combining synthetic chromosomes with haploid breeding for efficient gene transfer.
- To discuss methods for improving synthetic chromosome utility and genic content.
Main Methods:
- Telomere-mediated truncation was employed to create minichromosomes.
- Site-specific recombination cassettes were introduced to facilitate minichromosome production.
- In vivo gene modification techniques can be applied to enhance minichromosomes.
Main Results:
- Minichromosomes, primarily consisting of a centromere, have been successfully produced.
- Synthetic chromosomes can be engineered to carry multiple transgenes, gene complexes, or entire biochemical pathways.
- These advancements enable significant modifications to plant properties.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic chromosomes provide a powerful tool for genetic engineering in plants.
- They facilitate the addition or removal of multiple genes or pathways for agricultural or industrial purposes.
- This technology supports the development of plants for novel applications, including foreign protein and metabolite production.
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