Inheritance and expression of the mouse metallothionein gene in tobacco

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Plant Physiology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.91.3.1020· OSTI ID:5922602

Maiti, I B; Wagner, G J; Yeargan, R; Hunt, A G ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington (USA)

Genetically engineered seedlings obtained from self-fertilized transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) contained and expressed the mouse metallothionein and kanamycin resistance marker genes and were more tolerant to cadmium stress than untransformed controls. Cadmium accumulation in leaves of transgenic seedlings exposed to a low, field-like Cd concentration (0.02 micromolar) was about 20% lower than that in untransformed controls. Genetic analysis of R1 and R2 progeny showed inheritance of the marker gene to be as a dominant Mendelian trait. These results suggest the possibility of developing transgenic plants with modified tolerance to heavy metal stress and food crops having lower Cd content.

• OSTI ID: 5922602
• Journal Information: Plant Physiology; (USA), Vol. 91:3; ISSN 0032-0889
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CADMIUM
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
METALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
NICOTIANA
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
PLANTS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology