Dataset Information

Gene flow in genetically modified wheat.

ABSTRACT: Understanding gene flow in genetically modified (GM) crops is critical to answering questions regarding risk-assessment and the coexistence of GM and non-GM crops. In two field experiments, we tested whether rates of cross-pollination differed between GM and non-GM lines of the predominantly self-pollinating wheat Triticum aestivum. In the first experiment, outcrossing was studied within the field by planting "phytometers" of one line into stands of another line. In the second experiment, outcrossing was studied over distances of 0.5-2.5 m from a central patch of pollen donors to adjacent patches of pollen recipients. Cross-pollination and outcrossing was detected when offspring of a pollen recipient without a particular transgene contained this transgene in heterozygous condition. The GM lines had been produced from the varieties Bobwhite or Frisal and contained Pm3b or chitinase/glucanase transgenes, respectively, in homozygous condition. These transgenes increase plant resistance against pathogenic fungi. Although the overall outcrossing rate in the first experiment was only 3.4%, Bobwhite GM lines containing the Pm3b transgene were six times more likely than non-GM control lines to produce outcrossed offspring. There was additional variation in outcrossing rate among the four GM-lines, presumably due to the different transgene insertion events. Among the pollen donors, the Frisal GM line expressing a chitinase transgene caused more outcrossing than the GM line expressing both a chitinase and a glucanase transgene. In the second experiment, outcrossing after cross-pollination declined from 0.7-0.03% over the test distances of 0.5-2.5 m. Our results suggest that pollen-mediated gene flow between GM and non-GM wheat might only be a concern if it occurs within fields, e.g. due to seed contamination. Methodologically our study demonstrates that outcrossing rates between transgenic and other lines within crops can be assessed using a phytometer approach and that gene-flow distances can be efficiently estimated with population-level PCR analyses.

SUBMITTER: Rieben S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3246478 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Gene flow in genetically modified wheat.

Rieben Silvan S Kalinina Olena O Schmid Bernhard B Zeller Simon L SL

PloS one 20111227 12

Understanding gene flow in genetically modified (GM) crops is critical to answering questions regarding risk-assessment and the coexistence of GM and non-GM crops. In two field experiments, we tested whether rates of cross-pollination differed between GM and non-GM lines of the predominantly self-pollinating wheat Triticum aestivum. In the first experiment, outcrossing was studied within the field by planting "phytometers" of one line into stands of another line. In the second experiment, outcro ...[more]

PMID: 22216349

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Project description:Glycogen, a branched polymer of glucose, forms an energy re-serve in numerous organisms. In mammals, the two largest glyco-gen stores are in skeletal muscle and liver, which express tissue-specific glycogen synthase isoforms. MGSKO mice, in which mGys1 (mouse glycogen synthase) is disrupted, are devoid of muscle glycogen [Pederson, Chen, Schroeder, Shou, DePaoli-Roach and Roach (2004) Mol. Cell. Biol. 24, 7179-7187]. The GSL30 mouse line hyper-accumulates glycogen in muscle [Manchester, Skurat, Roach, Hauschka and Lawrence (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93, 10707-10711]. We performed a microarray analysis of mRNA from the anterior tibialis, medial gastrocnemius and liver of MGSKO mice, and from the gastroc-nemius of GSL30 mice. In MGSKO mice, transcripts of 79 genes varied in their expression in the same direction in both the anterior tibialis and gastrocnemius. These included several genes encoding proteins proximally involved in glycogen metabolism. The Ppp1r1a [protein phosphatase 1 regulatory (inhibitor) sub-unit 1A] gene underwent the greatest amount of downregulation. In muscle, the downregulation of Pfkfb1 and Pfkfb3, encoding isoforms of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphospha-tase, is consistent with decreased glycolysis. Pathways for branched-chain amino acid, and ketone body utilization appear to be downregulated, as is the capacity to form the gluconeogenic precursors alanine, lactate and glutamine. Expression changes among several members of the Wnt signalling pathway were identified, suggesting an as yet unexplained role in glycogen meta-bolism. In liver, the upregulation of Pfkfb1 and Pfkfb3 expression is consistent with increased glycolysis, perhaps as an adaptation to altered muscle metabolism. By comparing changes in muscle expression between MGSKO and GSL30 mice, we found a subset of 44 genes, the expression of which varied as a function of muscle glycogen content. These genes are candidates for regulation by glycogen levels. Particularly interesting is the observation that 11 of these genes encode cardiac or slow-twitch isoforms of muscle contractile proteins, and are upregulated in muscle that has a greater oxidative capacity in MGSKO mice.

Project description:BACKGROUND: Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is a potential source of many bioactive components that can be found in its oil and fibers, but also in the seedcake, which is rich in antioxidants. To increase the levels of medically beneficial compounds, a genetically modified flax type (named GT) with an elevated level of phenylopropanoids and their glycoside derivatives was generated. In this study, we investigated the influence of GT seedcake extract preparations on human fibroblast proliferation and migration, and looked at the effect on a human skin model. Moreover, we verified its activity against bacteria of clinical relevance. METHODS: The GT flax used in this study is characterized by overexpression of the glucosyltransferase gene derived from Solanum sogarandinum. Five GT seedcake preparations were generated. Their composition was assessed using ultra pressure liquid chromatography and confirmed using the UPLC-QTOF method. For the in vitro evaluation, the influence of the GT seedcake preparations on normal human dermal fibroblast proliferation was assessed using the MTT test and the wound scratch assay. A human skin model was used to evaluate the potential for skin irritation. To assess the antimicrobial properties of GT preparations, the percentage of inhibition of bacterial growth was calculated. RESULTS: The GT seedcake extract had elevated levels of phenylopropanoid compounds in comparison to the control, non-transformed plants. Significant increases in the content of ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid and caffeic acid, and their glucoside derivatives, kaempferol, quercitin and secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) were observed in the seeds of the modified plants. The GT seedcake preparations were shown to promote the proliferation of normal human dermal fibroblasts and the migration of fibroblasts in the wound scratch assay. The superior effect of GT seedcake extract on fibroblast migration was observed after a 24-hour treatment. The skin irritation test indicated that GT seedcake preparations have no harmful effect on human skin. Moreover, GT seedcake preparations exhibited inhibitory properties toward two bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that preparations derived from the new GT flax are an effective source of phenylopropanoids and that their glycoside derivatives and might be promising natural products with both healing and bacteriostatic effects. This flax-derived product is a good candidate for application in the repair and regeneration of human skin and might also be an alternative to antibiotic therapy for infected wounds.

Dataset Information

Gene flow in genetically modified wheat.

Publications

Gene flow in genetically modified wheat.

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