Michael G. Koziel

Expression of a chimeric CaMV 35S Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal protein gene in transgenic tobacco

Insecticidal transgenic tobacco plants containing a truncated Bacillus thuringiensis cryIA(b) crystal protein (ICP) gene expressed from the CaMV 35S promoter were analyzed for ICP gene expression under field and greenhouse conditions over the course of a growing season. We present new information on temporal and tissue-specific expression of a CaMV 35S/cryIA(b) gene. Levels of cryIA(b) protein and mRNA were compared in both homozygous and hemizygous lines throughout plant development. Levels of ICP mRNA and protein increased during plant development with a pronounced rise in expression at the time of flowering. Homozygous ICP lines produced higher levels of ICP than the corresponding hemizygous lines. ELISA analysis of different tissues in the tobacco plant showed ICP gene expression in most tissues with a predominance of ICP in older tissue. All transgenic ICP tobacco lines which were studied in the field and greenhouse contained 400 ng to 1 μg ICP per gram fresh weight in leaves from the mid-section of the plant at flowering. The amounts of ICP produced by field lines were directly comparable to levels observed in greenhouse-grown plants.

Structure of a maize tryptophan synthase alpha subunit gene with pith enhanced expression

A cDNA derived from an abundant maize pith mRNA transcript and its corresponding genomic equivalent have been isolated and characterized. High transcript levels are seen in the pith and young leaves of maize plants, while no transcript is detected in seed tissue of any age. The protein encoded by the isolated gene has considerable homology with tryptophan synthase alpha subunit (trpA) from other organisms and the cDNA clone can complement an E. coli trpA mutant. These data support the conclusion that this cDNA and the corresponding genomic clone encode a maize trpA protein.