Author
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Ow, David |
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Submitted to: Acta Horticulture Proceedings
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2006 Publication Date: 3/31/2007 Citation: Ow, D.W. 2007. Site-Specific Recombination for Plant Genetic Engineering: Strategy for Agro-Mediated Gene Stacking. In: Litz, R.E., Scorza, R., eds. ISHS Acta Horticulturae 738, International Symposium on Biotechnology of Temperate Fruit Crops and Tropical Species. The Netherlands, Drukkerij Jansen BV, pp. 117-127. Interpretive Summary: This article describes a strategy that uses Agrobacterium to deliver repeatedly new DNA into a designated site in the genome, thereby offering the same advantages as a strategy that uses direct DNA transformation. However, the Agrobacterium-mediated approach requires using two Int-att type of irreversible recombination systems. Technical Abstract: The precise rearrangement of DNA in planta can be achieved through site-specific recombination. For the past decade and a half, laboratory experiments have shown that site-specific recombination can delete genomic DNA, regulate gene expression, recombine chromosomes, and target new DNA into designated transgenic loci. Although much of the technology was once viewed as futuristic promises, commercial adoption of at least a first application is underway. New transgenic crops with the antibiotic resistance marker removed through site-specific recombination are due to appear in the marketplace. This translation from laboratory research to improved field varieties has been slowed by a combination of factors, including the long development time in crop genetic engineering. This paper discusses future potential applications in recombinase-based plant transformation, and in particular, a gene stacking strategy that may be used by Agrobacterium-based delivery of the integrating DNA. This transformation operating system should help shorten the development time of transgenic plants as well as help mitigate biosafety concerns of plant genetic modifications. |
