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September 14, 2007
Source:
CropBiotech Update
Marker genes, usually for
antibiotic resistance, have always been the focus of criticisms
in genetic improvement of crops. Various selectable marker genes
are used in plant transformation systems to select transgenic
events, but often the marker gene is no longer needed after the
transgenic plants are regenerated. A group of researchers from
DuPont recently produced
marker-gene-free glyphosate-tolerant transgenic soybean lines
through a self –activating gene excision system.
Unlike other approaches to
produce marker-free plants, the gene excision system employed by
the researchers delivers precise outcomes and does not require
additional manipulations of the transformation and regeneration
process. The glyphosate tolerance and marker genes were
introduced together with a gene coding for the enzyme, Cre
recombinase, which will instantly remove itself and the marker
gene upon induction. This self-activating gene excision strategy
is currently being applied to numerous plants like maize,
cotton, peanut, and many coniferous trees.
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