Transgenic flax/linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) - expectations and reality

Abstract

Ludvíková M., Griga M. (2015): Transgenic flax/linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) -expectations and reality. Czech J. Genet. Plant Breed., This review summarizes the history, important milestones, current status and perspectives of biotech flax/ linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.), supplemented with some of our original research, breeding and data on environmentalsafety. We show how recent biotechnology methods and genetic engineering contributed to the flax/linseed breeding in order to speed up the breeding process (doubled haploids technology; in vitro selection with the use of pathogenic toxins or heavy metals; genetic transformation) and for the creation of new flax/ linseed cultivars. The focus is laid on genetic engineering which represents an excellent technology to enrich the flax/linseed genepool with genes of interest, which are not naturally present in the flax/linseed genome. Different methods of flax transformation are mentioned, as well as various genes of interest that have been used for flax transformation to date aimed at improving transgenic flax properties, affecting both qualitative and quantitative traits. The fatty acid content and composition, the lignan (especially secoisolariciresinol diglucoside -SDG) content, flax fibre quality, tolerance to herbicides and resistance to diseases belong, among others, to flax traits that have already been modified by genetic engineering. Selection genes, reporter genes and also promoters that have been used for the vector construction are also summarized. This paper describes different fields of utilization of genetically modified (GM) flax with different improved properties. The history of the only so far officially registered transgenic linseed cultivar Triffid is described in detail. Finally, potential risks and benefits of flax modification are evaluated and also the prime expectations of GM flax and real current state of this technology compared. Unfortunately, the products created by this technology are under strict (albeit not scientifically-based) legislative/political control in the European Union (EU), which prevents the access of products, created by breeders using this top technology, to the EU market.

Characterisation and evaluation of morphological trials, biological features and seed yield of 23 flax accessions (Linum usitatissimum L.) of different geographical origins

“…The highest resistance to lodging was found in linseed varieties: Abby, Peak, and Olinette. The following varieties were very resistant (9) to Fusarium: Martin, UKR 97 269, Kijewskij and Ukraińskij 3; and resistant (8) were Abby, Peak, Olinette, Crystal, Gold Merchant, Currong and Ukraińskij 2 (tab. 7).…”

“…Protection of the genetic resources of Linum is very important because flax is the richest source of α-linolenic acid, which prevents civilisation diseases [8,9]. Providing the body with α-linolenic acid (omega-3) is very important because there are very few food sources of this compound.…”

Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) genetic resources for climate change intervention and its future breeding

“…Cell wall related genes (cellulose synthase catalytic subunit c1532) involved in cellulose biosynthesis, genes involved in secondary cell wall hemicellulose synthesis, phenylpropanoid/lignin biosynthesis, gene (xyloglucan endotransglycosylase c5939) involved in cell wall expansion, sucrose partitioning and gene (fasciclin-like AGP 2 -c51183) that has previously been associated with both flax fibre formation and G-fibre formation in tree reaction wood Roach and Deyholos, 2007;2008;Fenart et al, 2010;Gorshkova et al, 2010 Saline and alkaline stress miRNA targeted genes (Lus-miRNAs) Myb domain protein, Mitochondrial transcription termination factor family protein, Transcription regulators, Auxin signaling F-box, Yu et al, 2016;Yu et al, 2014;Barvkar et al, 2013;Younas and Barozai, 2012 Nutrient use efficiency miRNA targeted genes ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 (UBE2) gene Melnikova et al, 2014Melnikova et al, , 2015Neutelings et al, 2012 Pathogen resistance Genes encoding cysteine proteases known to play an important role in programmed cell death (PCD) associated with the hypersensitive response (HR), genes (c7149 and c48400) encoding germin-like proteins potentially associated with ROS production and cell-wall cross-linking in defense, gene (Nbi-D c37826) involved in flax resistance to rust (Melampsora lini) Fenart et al, 2010;Lorenc-Kukula et al, 2007 Transgenic flax for agronomic and quality traits Genes encoding chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase and dihydroflavonol reductase; SsGT1 gene, higher resistance to Fusarium infection and significant increase of the flavonoid glycoside content; high oleic flax through RNAi-mediated multiple FAD2 gene silencing Lorenc-Kukuła et al, 2005;Chen et al, 2015;Ludvíková et al, 2015;Soto-Cerda et al, 2014 lov Institute in St. Petersburg, which includes about 250 lines with genetically defined morphological, agronomic or disease-resistance characters (Brutch, 2002). A catalogue listing 50 accessions as donors for specific genes controlling traits, such as resistance to rust, wilt, anthracnose, and pasmo, fibre content and quality, lodging resistance, earliness, seed oil content, seed size and capsule indehiscence, was published by the Vavilov Institute (Kutuzova, 2000).…”

Spectroscopic and biochemical characteristics of flax transgenic callus cultures producing PHB

“…Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a plant with very long breeding traditions dating back to ancient times. New technologies concerning transgenesis give the opportunity to modify flax plants and their products, especially that this plant species can be easily transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Ludvíková and Griga 2015). The first study regarding the transformation of flax by using of A. tumefaciens was published in 1983 (Hepburn et al 1983).…”