Transgenic Brassica napus and tobacco plants harboring human metallothionein gene are resistant to toxic levels of heavy metals

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Plant Physiology, Supplement; (USA)

OSTI ID:6603544

Misra, S ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Victoria, British Columbia (Canada)

A chimeric gene containing a cloned human metallothionein-II (MT-II) processed gene was introduced into Brassica napus and tobacco cells on a disarmed Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Transformants expressed MT protein as a nuclear trait, and in a constitutive manner. Seeds from self-fertilized transgenic plants were germinated on media containing toxic levels of cadmium and scored for tolerance/susceptibility to this heavy metal. The growth of root and shoot of transformed seedlings was unaffected by up to 100{mu}M CdCl{sub 2}, whereas, control seedlings showed severe inhibition of root and shoot growth and chlorosis of leaves. The results of these experiments indicate that agriculturally important plants such a B. napus can be genetically engineered for heavy metals tolerance/sequestration and eventually for partitioning of heavy metals in non-consumed plant tissues.

• OSTI ID: 6603544
• Journal Information: Plant Physiology, Supplement; (USA), Journal Name: Plant Physiology, Supplement; (USA) Vol. 89:4; ISSN PPYSA; ISSN 0079-2241
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BRASSICA
CADMIUM
CHLOROSIS
ELEMENTS
FOOD
GENETIC ENGINEERING
LEAVES
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
MAMMALS
MAN
METALLOPROTEINS
METALLOTHIONEIN
METALS
NICOTIANA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PLANTS
PRIMATES
PROTEINS
TOLERANCE
TOXICITY
VEGETABLES
VERTEBRATES