A study of different (CaMV 35S and mas) promoter activities and risk assessment of field use in transgenic rapeseed plants

Summary

Gene fusions between the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and the promoters of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S RNA transcript (CaMV 35S) and the mannopine synthase (mas) genes were introduced into rapeseed varieties via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Fluorometric assay of β-glucuronidase activity indicated different expression patterns for the two promoters.

In seedlings, the CaMV 35S promoter had maximum activity in the primary roots, while the mas promoter was most active in the cotyledons. Etiolated seedlings cultured in the dark showed reduced activity of the mas promoter.

Before vernalization at the rosette stage, both promoters were more active in older plant parts than in younger ones. At this stage the highest activity was recorded in cotyledons.

After the plants had bolted reduced promoter function was detected in the upper parts of the transformed plants. Both promoters were found to be functional in the majority of the studied organs of transgenic rapeseed plants, but the promoter activity varied considerably between the organs at different developmental stages.

The ability of pollen to transfer the introduced genes to other varieties and related species (e.g. Brassica napus and Diplotaxus muralis) by cross-pollination was studied in greenhouse experiments, and field trials were carried out to estimate the distance for biologically-relevant gene dispersal. In artificial crossing, the introduced marker gene was transferable into other varieties of Brassica napus. In field trials, at a distance of 1 metre from the source of transgenic plants, the frequency of an outcrossing event was relatively high (10^-3). Resistant individuals were found at 16 and 32 metres from the transgenic pollen donors, but the frequency of an outcrossing event dropped to 10^-5.