High expression of transgene protein in Spirodela

Abstract

The monocot family Lemnaceae (duckweed) is composed of small, edible, aquatic plants. Spirodela oligorrhiza SP is a duckweed with a biomass doubling time of about 2 days under controlled, axenic conditions. Stably transformed Spirodela plants were obtained following co-cultivation of regenerative calli with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. GFP activity was successfully monitored in different subcellular compartments of the plant and correlated with different targeting sequences. Transgenic lines were followed for a period of at least 18 months and more than 180 vegetative doublings (generations). The lines are stable in morphology, growth rate, transgene expression, and activity as measured by DNA-DNA and immunoblot hybridizations, fluorescence activity measurements, and antibiotic resistance. The level of transgene expression is a function of leader sequences rather than transgene copy number. A stable, transgenic, GFP expression level >25% of total soluble protein is demonstrated for the S. oligorrhiza system, making it among the higher expressing systems for nuclear transformation in a higher plant.

Duckweed (Lemna minor) as a Model Plant System for the Study of Human Microbial Pathogenesis

“…A pathogenic model in which both the pathogen and its host are amenable to genetic manipulation can greatly facilitate the understanding of bacterial pathogenesis [13]. Genome sequencing of duckweeds is underway and Agrobacterium -mediated genetic transformation of duckweeds ( Lemna and Spirodela ) has been established [46], [47]. It would therefore be interesting to transform functional genes from pathogenic bacteria into duckweeds and then use this system to test their functions.…”

Genetic structure of the genus Lemna L. (Lemnaceae) as revealed by amplified fragment length polymorphism

“…Li et al (2004) and Yamamoto et al (2001) reported genetic transformation of some duckweed species, although stable transformation still awaits optimization. The possible application of duckweed for the production of pharmaceuticals is obvious (Vunsh et al 2007;Rival et al 2008). The complete sequence of chloroplast DNA in L. minor was published by Mardanov et al in 2008.…”

After the genome sequencing of duckweed – how to proceed with research on the fastest growing angiosperm?

“…review of Wang & Messing 2015). One important step is the availability of an effective method for genetic transformation, and this has now been achieved (Vunsh et al 2007;Cant o-Pastor et al 2015). Polyploidisation is another interesting tool for genetic modification of the used duckweeds (Li et al 2004;Vunsh et al 2015).…”