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Efficient gene targeting in the moss Physcomitrella patens
1Laboratoire de Phytogénétique Cellulaire, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne-Dorigny, Switzerland. Didier.Schaefer@lpc.unil.ch
The Plant Journal : for Cell and Molecular Biology
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Gene targeting in the moss Physcomitrella patens is highly efficient, exceeding 90%. This breakthrough enables precise genetic modifications for studying plant development and suggests a link between efficient gene targeting and haplophase in eukaryotes.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The moss Physcomitrella patens is a key genetic model for plant development studies due to its dominant haploid gametophyte phase.
- Efficient gene targeting is crucial for genetic manipulation but has been limited in plants compared to lower eukaryotes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the efficiency of gene targeting in the moss Physcomitrella patens.
- To assess the feasibility of gene knock-out and allele replacement for plant development research.
Main Methods:
- Transformation experiments targeting three single-copy genomic loci in Physcomitrella patens.
- Molecular analysis to confirm homologous recombination and integration of exogenous DNA.
Main Results:
- Gene targeting efficiency in Physcomitrella patens was found to be above 90%.
- Transformation rates were 10-fold higher with targeting vectors compared to previous methods.
- Molecular evidence confirmed successful integration of DNA via homologous recombination at targeted loci.
Conclusions:
- Physcomitrella patens exhibits highly efficient gene targeting, comparable to yeast.
- This efficiency makes gene knock-out and allele replacement readily accessible for studying plant development.
- The findings suggest a potential correlation between efficient gene targeting and haplophase across eukaryotes.