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Title: Expression of mouse metallothionein genes in tobacco

Conference · · Plant Physiology, Supplement; (USA)
OSTI ID:5839634

We have expressed a mouse metallothionein (NT) gene in tobacco under control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter and a pea ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit (rbcS) gene promoter. Seedlings in which MT gene expression is driven by the 35S promoter are resistant to toxic levels of cadmium. Mature plants carrying the 35S-MT gene accumulate less Cd in their leaves when exposed to low levels of Cd in laboratory growth conditions. Plants with the rbcS-MT construction express this gene in a light-regulated and tissue-specific manner, as expected. Moreover, the MT levels in leaves in these plants are about 20% of those seen in 35S-MT plants. These plants are currently being tested for Cd resistance. In addition, a small field evaluation of 35S-MT lines for Cd levels is being evaluated. These experiments will address the possibility of using MTs to alter Cd levels in crop species.

OSTI ID:
5839634
Report Number(s):
CONF-9007196-; CODEN: PPYSA
Journal Information:
Plant Physiology, Supplement; (USA), Vol. 93:1; Conference: Annual meeting of the American Society of Plant Physiologists, Indianapolis, IN (USA), 29 Jul - 2 Aug 1990; ISSN 0079-2241
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English