Plant transformation Flashcards

1
Q

What are some advantages of GM technology?

A

Transfer of selected genes
Genes can cross species barriers so there is a larger gene pool available
Availability of tissue-specific transgene expression (control of spatial and temporal expression)
Opportunity for protein expression
Fundamental tool for understanding biological processes

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2
Q

Why alter plants?

A
Nutritional value 
New and modified protein production
Metabolic pathway regulation 
Pharmacological compound production 
Phytoremediation
Novel traits 
Agronomic traits 
Plant productivity
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3
Q

Describe stable transformation

A

Transgene and novel genetic characteristics are maintained during the life of the plant and the transgene is usually integrated into the host genome

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4
Q

Describe nuclear transformation

A

Gene transfer into the nuclear genome of the host cell as confirmed by cellular fractionation, eukaryotic type expression, or Mendelian inheritance

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5
Q

How are protoplasts produced in PEG-mediated protoplast fusion?

A

Digestion of the cell wall with macerozyme, pectinase, and cellulase
Dissection/rupture of cell walls

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6
Q

What is somatic/protoplast fusion?

A

Where 2 distinct species of plants are fused together to form a somatic hybrid with the characteristics of both

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7
Q

What are the 4 steps to producing a somatic hybrid in PEG-mediated protoplast fusion?

A
  1. Removal of cell walls
  2. Cells fused together using PEG to fuse nuclei into heterokaryon
  3. Hormone induced cell wall production
  4. Cells grown into full plants
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8
Q

What are the 4 steps of microprecipitation?

A
  1. DNA of a gene to be put into cells and DNA of a selected marker gene are dissolved in a phosphate buffer
  2. The 2 genes are on separate fragments
  3. A solution of CaCl3 is added slowly to the DNA
  4. A very fine CaPO3 precipitate forms with the DNA adsorbed to it
  5. The solution is incubated briefly with cells in tissue culture plates
  6. After rinsing the cells are cultured further
  7. Most of the surviving cells have the target gene
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9
Q

Describe viral transformation

A

Incorporate foreign DNA into a virus and infect plant
No long term storage
The target protein is temporarily expressed
Unstable transgenic plant

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10
Q

Describe microinjection

A

Transfer of DNA through micropipette into the cytoplasm or nucleus of the plant cell or protoplast
Slow and expensive

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11
Q

Describe liposome fusion

A

DNA incorporated into liposomes in solution

Liposomes then interact with protoplasts and the contents are transferred into the cell

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12
Q

Describe electroporation

A

The creation of pores using an electric pulse of high field strength

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13
Q

Describe a gene gun

A

Gold particles coated with DNA are shot at cells and the DNA is incorporated into the plant cell chromosome

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14
Q

What is agrobacterium?

A

A soil bacterium that is able to infect plants and make them produce the food it needs to live on

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15
Q

How does agrobacterium work?

A

It inserts a small piece of its own DNA into the plant genome
Carries the Ti plasmid to transfer T-DNA to a plant
Wound sites on plants attract the bacterium through the release of phenolic compounds
chvA and chvB genes allow the bacterium to bind to plant cells
virA-H genes are necessary for DNA transfer
Proteins produced by virA-H cause a strand of t-DNA to be copied and transferred to the plant cell
Border sequences are recognised by these proteins and all DNA between the left and right border is transferred

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16
Q

Describe the floral dip method

A

Invert plants and dip aerial parts in agrobacterium for 20-30 seconds then wrap with plastic wrap to maintain humidity for 16-24 hours
Remove wrap and grow in growth chamber for 1 month
Dry and harvest seeds
Marker selection

17
Q

Describe the pollen method

A

Pollen is collected and incubated in a sucrose-based medium
Pollen is then sonicated for 20-30 seconds
Pollen is then incubated in a culture medium containing the gene construct
The pollen is then resonicated
Transgenic pollen is transferred to maize ears
Seeds are then produced and grown
Check for transformation