Soon-Jong Kweon

Application of two bicistronic systems involving 2A and IRES sequences to the biosynthesis of carotenoids in rice endosperm.

Coordination of multiple transgenes is essential for metabolic engineering of biosynthetic pathways. Here, we report the utilization of two bicistronic systems involving the 2A sequence from the foot-and-mouth disease virus and the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) sequence from the crucifer-infecting tobamovirus to the biosynthesis of carotenoids in rice endosperm. Two carotenoid biosynthetic genes, phytoene synthase (Psy) from Capsicum and carotene desaturase (CrtI) from Pantoea, were linked via either the synthetic 2A sequence that was optimized for rice codons or the IRES sequence under control of the rice globulin promoter, generating PAC (Psy-2A-CrtI) and PIC (Psy-IRES-CrtI) constructs, respectively. The transgenic endosperm of PAC rice had a more intense golden color than did PIC rice, demonstrating that 2A was more efficient than IRES in coordinating gene expression. The 2A and IRES constructs were equally effective in driving transgene transcription. However, immunoblot analysis of CRTI, a protein encoded by the downstream open reading frame of the bicistronic constructs, revealed that 2A was ninefold more effective than IRES in driving translation. The PAC endosperms accumulated an average of 1.3 μg/g of total carotenoids, which was ninefold higher than was observed for PIC endosperms. In particular, accumulation of β-carotene was much higher in PAC endosperms than in PIC endosperms. Collectively, these results demonstrate that both 2A and IRES systems can coordinate the expression of two biosynthetic genes, with the 2A system exhibiting greater efficiency. Thus, the 2A expression system described herein is an effective new tool for multigene stacking in crop biotechnology.

Treatment of obesity with the resveratrol-enriched rice DJ-526

Obesity is the most prevalent disease in the world which poses a serious risk for various chronic diseases. However, currently there are not any therapeutic agents that reduce body weight without causing serious side effects. In order to prevent and/or treat obesity and related diseases through a nutraceutical approach, we created a resveratrol-enriched transgenic rice accumulating 1.4 μg/g of resveratrol in its grain, DJ-526. Feeding of mice with the resveratrol-enriched rice DJ-526 showed excellent anti-obesity effect with reduction of body weights and abdominal fat volumes compared to the control by 20.0% and 31.3%, respectively. Also, the consumption of the resveratrol-enriched rice DJ526 significantly improved the blood lipid profiles and glucose levels in the animal experiments. Our resveratrol-enriched rice DJ-526 rice could provide both safe and convenient way for people with obesity and related diseases without major change of lifestyle or unwanted side effects from medication.

Comparative Nutritional Analysis for Genetically Modified Rice, Iksan483 and Milyang204, and Nontransgenic Counterparts

Recently, two glufosinate-tolerant rice varieties, Iksan483 and Milyang204, were developed in Korea generated by adding bar gene to genomes of the conventional rice varieties. Comparative assessment of nutritional composition was conducted with genetically modified rice grains and its conventional counterparts for substantial equivalence. Nutrients including proximates, fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and antinutrients were investigated using several statistical comparisons. The results showed that, except for small differences in a few fatty acids, minerals, and trypsin inhibitor, there was no significant difference between genetically modified rice and conventional counterpart variety with respect to their nutrient composition. Most of measured levels of nutrients were in good compliance with the literature ranges, showing substantial equivalency. The results of principle component analysis demonstrated that the environment affects the nutritional composition and that all differences between the genetically modified and conventional rice varieties are within the range as the differences observed among conventional varieties grown in different years. Therefore, the insertion of bar gene did not change the nutritional composition of genetically modified rice grains.

Molecular characterization of lepidopteran pest-resistant transgenic rice events expressing synthetic Cry1Ac

The insecticidal toxin gene of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is one of the most commonly used in the development of genetically modified (GM) crops. In this research, we analyzed Bt rice showing lepidopteran pest-resistance. The Bt gene is a synthetic Cry1Ac composed of optimal codons for plants, and the Bt protein is targeted to the chloroplast by a transit peptide. Three Cry1Ac rice events (C103-3, C127-1, and C7-1) were analyzed for molecular characterization. C103-3 contains two copies of T-DNA where the left border (LB) region is truncated. Both C7-1 and C127-1 have a single copy of T-DNA, but a part of the vector backbone DNA is inserted into the genome of C127-1; thus, only C7-1 had intact T-DNA. Progenies of C7-1 crossed with the original cultivar, Nakdong, and double-haploid lines from anther culture of lines crossed with the elite cultivar, Dongjin, were analyzed for T-DNA flanking genomic DNA and genotyping. Results showed that an intact T-DNA region without the vector backbone was inserted into the genome and was stably inherited through generations. The C7-1 homozygous event could be used as breeding material to develop GM rice with pest resistance.

Molecular biological characteristics and analysis using the specific markers of leaf folder-resistant GM rice

Abstract In recent years, several genetically modified (GM) crops have been developed worldwide through the recombinant DNA technology and commercialized by various agricultural biotechnological companies. Commercialization of GM crops will be required the assesment of risks associated with the release of GM crops. In advance of the commercial release of GM crops, developer should submit the several information on GM crops for approval. In this study, we carried out to provide the molecular data for the risk assessment of GM rice containing insect-resistant gene, modified Cry1Ac (CryIAc1). Through the molecular analysis with CryIAc1 induced GM rice, we confirmed the steady integration and expression of transgene, the transgene copy number, the adjacent region sequences of inserted gene into rice genome, and the transgene stability in progenies. For the qualitative PCR detection methods, specific primer pairs were designed on the basis of integration sequences, and construct- and event-specific detection markers were developed for leaf folder-resistant rice, Cr7-1 line. From these results, we demonstrated that the molecular data and the PCR detection methods of leaf folder- resistant GM rice could be acceptable to conduct the biosafety and environment risk assessment.

Molecular Characterization of Transgenic Rice Producing Resveratrol

Resveratrol, a plant phenolic compound, has potential therapeutic benefits due to its antioxidant properties. This is substantiated by previous studies that show that resveratrol derived from rice grains is an effective treatment agent for metabolic syndrome. Here, we characterized the T-DNA sequence, inserted T-DNA structure, copy number, integrity of the transgene locus, resveratrol synthase gene expression and resveratrol contents in the grains of two resveratrol transgenic rice lines, Iksan515 and Iksan526. The T-DNA transformation vector contained two expression cassettes of the resveratrol synthase gene under the control of the ubiquitin promoter and the bar selection marker gene under the control of the CaMV35S promoter. Flanking sequence analysis indicated that the T-DNAs were inserted into intergenic regions of chromosome 4 for Iksan515 and chromosome 12 for Iksan526. Two T-DNAs connected in an inverted repeat structure at a single locus of the rice genome were identified by whole genome sequencing and Southern blot hybridization in both Iksan515 and Iksan526. No novel open reading frames (ORFs) around insertion sites, sequences encoding allergenic or toxic protein, or other unintended effects by T-DNA insertion were found in either case. In addition, resveratrol synthase gene expression in leaves and resveratrol detection in brown rice grains suggested the successful expression of the inserted foreign resveratrol synthase gene in two transgenic rice lines.

Risk assessment and variety registration of transgenic crops

Final regulatory steps for commercialization of transgenic crops are risk assessment and variety registration. The risk assessment of transgenic crops requires broad network of scientists, high cost and long term. Developers of transgenic crops, therefore, face to additional challenges to consider theoretical and strategic aspects on risk assessment. The general concept for risk assessment of genetically modified organisms was derived from chemical risk assessment. Due to the complexity of organisms, however, comparative approaches that are substantial equivalence and familarity have been developed. In practical view, the integration of risk assessment is more difficult than the evaluation of each risk factors involving gene flow, toxicity and allergenicity. Variety registration of transgenic crops requires the results of risk assessment compared with non-GM crops and agronomic data analyzed with standard varieties. For economic and fast commercialization, risk assessment process should combined with condition of cultivation test for variety registration.

Influence of Cooking on Nutrient Composition in Provitamin A- Biofortified Rice

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different cooking methods on the nutrient composition of genetically modified (GM) provitamin A(PA)-biofortified rice. PA-biofortified rice was subjected to different cooking methods, namely boiling and a soaking, steaming and roasting process. The proximate components (starch, protein, lipid and ash) of raw PA-biofortified rice were similar to those found in the parental non-GM rice, and were not significantly affected by a conventional boiling treatment. When compared with raw rice, boiled PA-biofortified rice showed a similar nutrient composition, despite a slight reduction in a majority of its amino acid contents. However, the PA-biofortified rice that underwent the soaking/steaming/roasting process exhibited a significant reduction in a majority of its amino acids and mineral contents. This procedure also led to a significant reduction in carotenoid contents. The overall results of this study demonstrate that using a conventional boiling method for PA-biofortified rice retains nutrients better than a soaking/ steaming/roasting method.

Tryptophan Boost Caused by Senescence Occurred Independently of Cytoplasmic Glutamine Synthetase

We examined to determine whether senescence-induced tryptophan levels are positively associated with levels of glutamine synthetase (GS1), the initial enzyme in tryptophan biosynthesis. We generated transgenic rice plants in which GS1 was suppressed by RNA interference technology. The transgenic line showed a dramatic decrease in GS1 protein and glutamine content, but the levels of tryptophan and mRNA of the key tryptophan biosynthetic genes upon senescence were comparable to those of the wild type.

Effect of genetically modified rice producing resveratrol on the soil microbial communities

Cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops has rapidly increased in the global agricultural area. However, cultivation of GM crops in the field evoked the concern of the possibility of unintentional consequences from transgenic plant into environment. In our present study, we have assessed the effects of RS526, GM rice producing resveratrol on the surrounding soil microbial community. The effects of RS526 on the soil microbial community in its field of growth were assessed using a conventional culture technique and culture-independent molecular methods. Three replicate field plots were planted with single GM rice and a non-GM counterpart, Dongjin. The soil microbial communities around these plants were compared using colony counting, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), pyrosequencing analysis, and community-level physiological profiling during the growing periods. The bacterial, fungal, and actinomycetes population densities of the RS526 soils were found to be within the range of those of the non-GM rice cultivar. The DGGE banding patterns of the GM and non-GM soils were also similar, suggesting that the bacterial community structures were stable within a given month and were unaffected by the presence of a GM plant. The data obtained from pyrosequencing analysis showed that the bacterial community distribution at the phylum level were highly similar to DGGE patterns between two tested groups. The substrate utilization pattern of RS526 and Dongjin rice soil was quite similar between each sampling time. These results indicate that soil microbial communities are not significantly affected by the cultivation of RS526 within the experimental time frame.