Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N15/00—Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
  • C12N15/09—Recombinant DNA-technology
  • C12N15/63—Introduction of foreign genetic material using vectors; Vectors; Use of hosts therefor; Regulation of expression
  • C12N15/79—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts
  • C12N15/82—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts for plant cells, e.g. plant artificial chromosomes (PACs)
  • C12N15/8241—Phenotypically and genetically modified plants via recombinant DNA technology
  • C12N15/8261—Phenotypically and genetically modified plants via recombinant DNA technology with agronomic (input) traits, e.g. crop yield
  • C12N15/8271—Phenotypically and genetically modified plants via recombinant DNA technology with agronomic (input) traits, e.g. crop yield for stress resistance, e.g. heavy metal resistance
  • C12N15/8274—Phenotypically and genetically modified plants via recombinant DNA technology with agronomic (input) traits, e.g. crop yield for stress resistance, e.g. heavy metal resistance for herbicide resistance
  • C12N15/8277—Phosphinotricin
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N15/00—Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
  • C12N15/09—Recombinant DNA-technology
  • C12N15/63—Introduction of foreign genetic material using vectors; Vectors; Use of hosts therefor; Regulation of expression
  • C12N15/79—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts
  • C12N15/82—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts for plant cells, e.g. plant artificial chromosomes (PACs)
  • C12N15/8241—Phenotypically and genetically modified plants via recombinant DNA technology
  • C12N15/8261—Phenotypically and genetically modified plants via recombinant DNA technology with agronomic (input) traits, e.g. crop yield
  • C12N15/8271—Phenotypically and genetically modified plants via recombinant DNA technology with agronomic (input) traits, e.g. crop yield for stress resistance, e.g. heavy metal resistance

Definitions

• This invention pertains to rice plants, plant material and seeds characterized by harboring a specific transformation event particularly by the presence of the bar gene under control of a CaMN 35 S promoter, at a specific location in the rice genome.
• the rice plants of the invention combine glufosinate tolerance with optimal overall agronomic performance, genetic stability and adaptability to different genetic backgrounds.
• the phenotypic expression of a transgene in a plant is determined both by the structure of the gene itself and by its location in the plant genome. At the same time the presence of the transgene at different locations in the genome will influence the overall phenotype of the plant.
• the agronomically or industrially successful introduction of a commercially interesting trait in a plant by genetic manipulation can be a lengthy procedure dependent on different factors.
• the actual transformation and regeneration of genetically transformed plants are only the first in a series of selection steps which include extensive genetic characterization, breeding, and evaluation in field trials.
• PAT phosphinothricin acetyl transferase
• the present invention relates to a transgenic, glufosinate tolerant rice plant, cell, tissue or seed, which is characterized by one or both of the following characteristics: a) the genomic DNA of said plant, cell, tissue or seed is capable of yielding at least one, or advantageously at least two, preferably at least three, for instance at least four, more preferably five of the sets of restriction fragments, selected from the group of: i) one set of Nsil fragments comprising at least: one fragment with a length between about 5077 and about 14057 bp, preferably of about 12 kbp and one with a length between about 5077 and about 11497 bp, preferably of about 7,0 kbp; ii) one set of Ncol fragments comprising at least: one fragment with a length between about 2838 and about 4507 bp, preferably of about 3,2 kbp, one fragment with a length between about 2140 and about 2443 bp, preferably of about 2,3 kbp, and one fragment with
• the present invention relates to a transgenic, glufosinate tolerant rice plant, cell, tissue or seed, which is characterized in that the genomic DNA of the plant, cell, tissue or seed is capable of yielding at least one, advantageously at least two, preferably at least three, for instance at least four, more preferably five sets of restriction fragments selected from the group described above comprising the sets of restriction fragments described under i), ii), iii), iv) and v) above, whereby the selection can include any combination of i), ii), iii), iv) and v) described above.
• the present invention relates to a transgenic, glufosinate tolerant rice plant, cell, tissue or seed which is preferably characterized by both of the characteristics described under a) and b) above.
• the invention also relates to the seed deposited at the ATCC under number ATCC 203353, a plant which is grown from this seed, and cells or tissues from a plant grown from this seed.
• the invention further relates to plants obtainable by propagation of, and/or breeding with a rice plant grown from the seed deposited at the ATCC under number ATCC 203353.
• the invention further relates to plants, seeds, cells or tissues (e.g., rice plants, seeds, cells or tissues) comprising herein discussed flanking regions with the 35S-bar gene
• plants, seeds, cells, or tissues comprising a nucleotide sequence which is at least 65%, e.g., at least 75%, such as at least 80%, for instance at least 85%, such as at least 90%), for example at least 95% or even 97% or 100% similar to a sequence disclosed herein, such as the sequence for the flanking region-35S-bar gene-flanking region construct, or the insertion region.
• the invention further relates to a process for cultivating rice plants of the invention as described above, more preferably a process which comprises applying a herbicide with glufosinate as an active ingredient to the cultivated rice plants.
• the rice plants of the invention when cultivated according to the process described above, which comprises applying a herbicide with glufosinate as an active ingredient, display improved growth as compared to untransformed rice of the same cultivar (US 5,739,082).
• the invention can comprehend a method for improving the yield or growth of rice plants.
• the invention also provides a process for breeding rice which comprises a crossing with the rice plants of the invention.
• the invention further provides a process for producing a transgenic cell of a rice plant or a plant obtained therefrom, which comprises inserting a recombinant DNA molecule into a part of the chromosomal DNA of a rice cell characterized by the sequence of SEQ ID No 7 and, optionally, regenerating a rice plant from the transformed rice cell.
• the invention can further include a nucleotide sequence which is at least 65%, e.g., at least 75%, such as at least 80%, for instance at least 85%, such as at least 90%>, for example at least 95% or even 97% or 100%) similar to a sequence disclosed herein.
• the invention further relates to a method for identifying a transgenic plant, or cells or tissues thereof, which method comprises establishing one or both of the following characteristics of the genomic DNA of the transgenic plant, or its cells or tissues: a) the genomic DNA is capable of yielding at least two, preferably at least three, particularly at least 4, more particularly five of the sets of restriction fragments, wherein selected from the group of: i) one set of Nsil fragments wherein one fragment has a length between 5077 and 14057 bp, preferably of about 12 kbp and one has a length between 5077 and 11497 bp, preferably of about 7,0 kbp; ii) one set of Ncol fragments wherein one fragment has a length between 2838 and 4507 bp, preferably of about 3,2 kbp, one fragment has a length between
• 2140 and 2443 bp preferably of about 2,3 kbp
• one fragment has a length between 1986 and 2140 bp, preferably of about 2,1 kbp
• one fragment has a length between 805 and 1093 bp, preferably of about 1,0 kbp
• iii) one set of Hindlll fragments wherein one fragment has a length of more than
• 5077 and 14057 bp preferably of about 13 kbp; iv) one set of EcoRV fragments wherein one fragment has a length between 5077 and 14057 bp, preferably of about 12 kbp, one fragment has a length between 4507 and 5077 bp, preferably of about 4,7 kbp, one fragment has a length between 2838 and 4507 bp, preferably of about 2,9 kbp, one fragment has a length between 1700 and 1986 bp, preferably 1,7 kbp, one fragment has a length between 1159 and 1700 bp, preferably of about 1,6 kbp, one fragment has a length between 805 and 1159 bp, preferably of about 1,1 kbp, one fragment has a length between 805 and 1093 bp, preferably of about 1 ,0 kbp, and one fragment has a length of between 514 and 805 bp, preferably of about
• each of the restriction fragments is capable of hybridizing under standard stringency conditions, with the 1327 bp fragment obtainable by EcoRI digestion of the plasmid having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No.
• the genomic DNA of the plant, cell, tissue or seed can be used to amplify a DNA fragment of about 522 bp using a polymerase chain reaction with two primers having the nucloetide sequence of SEQ ID No. 2 and SEQ ID No. 3 respectively.
• the invention further relates to a kit for identifying the transgenic plants comprising the elite event of the present invention, said kit comprising PCR probes recognizing the T-DNA and the 3 ' or 5 ' flanking sequence of GAT-OS 1 , preferably having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 2 and SEQ ID No. 3 respectively, for use in the PCR identification protocol.
• the present invention relates to a transgenic, glufosinate tolerant rice plant, cell, tissue or seed, which is characterized by one or both of the following characteristics: a) the genomic DNA of the plant, cell, tissue or seed is capable of yielding one or more, such as at least two, advantageously at least three, preferably at least four, for instance at least five, more preferably six of the restriction fragments or pairs of restriction fragments selected from the group of: i) one EcoRI fragment with a length between about 1159 and about 1700 bp, preferably of about 1327 bp; ii) one pair of BamHI fragments wherein one has a length between about 805 and about 1093 bp, preferably of about 805 bp and the other has a length between about 1700 and about 2140 bp, preferably of about 2,0 kbp; iii) one pair of EcoRV fragments wherein one has a length between about 2838 and about 4507 bp, preferably of about 3,8 kb
• SEQ LO No 11 respectively (or includes a DNA fragment of about 290 to about 350 bp, preferably of about 313 bp amplified using a polymerase chain reaction with two primers having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 and SEQ LO No 11, respectively).
• the present invention relates to a transgenic, glufosinate tolerant rice plant, cell, tissue or seed, which is characterized in that the genomic DNA of the plant, cell, tissue or seed is capable of yielding at least one, advantageously at least two or more, for instance at least three, preferably at least four, for instance at least five, more preferably six of the restriction fragments or pairs of restriction fragments selected from the group described above comprising the restriction fragments or pairs of restriction fragments described under i), ii), iii), iv), v) and vi) above, whereby the selection can include any combination of i), ii), iii), iv), v) and vi) described above.
• the present invention relates to a transgenic, glufosinate tolerant rice plant, cell, tissue or seed which is preferably characterized by both of the characteristics described under a) and b) above.
• the invention also relates to the seed deposited at the ATCC under number ATCC 203352, a plant which is grown from this seed, and cells or tissues from a plant grown from this seed.
• the invention further relates to plants obtainable by propagation of, and/or breeding with a rice plant grown from the seed deposited at the ATCC under number ATCC 203352.
• the invention further relates to plants, seeds, cells or tissues (e.g., rice plants, seeds, cells or tissues) comprising herein discussed flanking regions with the 35S-bar gene (as herein discussed) therebetween, or plants, seeds, cells, or tissues (e.g., rice plants, seeds, cells or tissues) comprising a nucleotide sequence which is at least 65%, e.g., at least 75%, such as at least 80%, for instance at least 85%, such as at least 90%, for example at least 95% or even 97% or 100% similar to a sequence disclosed herein, such as the sequence for the flanking region-35S-bar gene-flanking region construct, or the insertion region.
• a nucleotide sequence which is at least 65%, e.g., at least 75%, such as at least 80%, for instance at least 85%, such as at least 90%, for example at least 95% or even 97% or 100% similar to a sequence disclosed herein, such as the sequence for the flanking region-35
• the invention further relates to a process for cultivating rice plants of the invention as described above, more particularly a process which comprises applying a herbicide with glufosinate as an active ingredient to the cultivated rice plants.
• the rice plants of the invention when cultivated according to the process described above, which comprises applying a herbicide with glufosinate as an active ingredient, display improved growth as compared to untransformed rice of the same cultivar (US 5,739,082).
• the invention can comprehend a method for improving the yield or growth of rice plants
• the invention also provides a process for breeding rice which comprises a crossing with the rice plants of the invention.
• the invention further provides a process for producing a transgenic cell of a rice plant or a plant obtained therefrom, which comprises inserting a recombinant DNA molecule into a part of the chromosomal DNA of a rice cell characterized by the sequence of SEQ ID No 13 and, optionally, regenerating a rice plant from the transformed rice cell.
• the invention further relates to a method for identifying a transgenic plant, or cells or tissues thereof, which method comprises establishing one or both of the following characteristics of the genomic DNA of the transgenic plant, or its cells or tissues: a) the genomic DNA of the plant, cell, tissue or seed is capable of yielding at least three, preferably at least four, for instance at least 5, more preferably six of the restriction fragments or pairs of restriction fragments selected from the group of: i) one EcoRI fragment with a length between 1159 and 1700 bp, preferably of about 1327 bp; ii) one pair of BamHI fragments wherein one has a length between 805 and
• the genomic DNA of the plant, cell, tissue or seed can be used to amplify a DNA fragment of between 290 and 350 bp, preferably of about 313 bp, using a polymerase chain reaction with two primers having the nucleotide sequence of
• SEQ ID No. 2 an SEQ ID No. 11, respectively.
• the invention further relates to a kit for identifying the transgenic plants comprising the elite event of the present invention, said kit comprising PCR probes recognizing the foreign DNA and the 3' or 5' flanking sequence of
• GAT-OS2 preferably having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 2 and SEQ ID NO. 11, respectively, for use in the PCR identification protocol.
• Fig. 1 Restriction map obtained after digestion of GAT-OS1 genomic DNA Loading sequence of the gel analyzed by Southern blot: lane 1, non-transgenic rice
• Fig. 2 PCR analysis of different lines using the GAT-OS1 PCR identification protocol. Loading sequence of the gel: lane 1, molecular weight marker (lOObp ladder), lanes 2 to 11, DNA samples from rice plants comprising different transgenic events, lane 12, DNA from M202 wild-type, lane 13, DNA from Bengal wild-type, lane 14, negative control (water), lane 15, molecular weight marker (lOObp ladder).
• Fig. 4 PCR analysis of different lines using the GAT-OS2 PCR identification protocol.
• Loading sequence of the gel lane 1, molecular weight marker (lOObp ladder), lanes 2 to 11, DNA samples from rice plants comprising different transgenic events, lane 12, DNA from M202 wild-type, lane 13, DNA from Bengal wild-type, lane 14, negative control (water), lane 15, molecular weight marker (lOObp ladder).
• the term "gene” as used herein refers to any DNA sequence comprising several operably linked DNA fragments such as a promoter and a 5' untranslated region (the 5'UTR), which together form the promoter region, a coding region (which may or may not code for a protein), and an untranslated 3' region (3'UTR) comprising a polyadenylation site.
• the 5'UTR, the coding region and the 3 'UTR are transcribed into a RNA which, in the case of a protein encoding gene, is translated into the protein.
• a gene may include additional DNA fragments such as, for example, introns.
• a genetic locus is the position of a given gene in the genome of a plant.
• chimeric when referring to a gene or DNA sequence is used to refer to the fact that the gene or DNA sequence comprises at least two functionally relevant DNA fragments (such as promoter, 5'UTR, coding region, 3'UTR, intron) that are not naturally associated with each other and originate, for example, from different sources.
• "Foreign” referring to a gene or a DNA sequence with respect to a plant species is used to indicate that the gene or DNA sequence is not naturally found in that plant species.
• transgene refers to a recombinant DNA molecule as incorporated in the genome of a plant.
• the term “recombinant DNA molecule” is used to exemplify and thus can include an isolated nucleic acid molecule which can be DNA and which can be obtained through recombinant or other procedures.
• This recombinant DNA molecule usually comprises at least one copy of at least one "gene of interest” (e.g. a chimeric gene) which is capable of conferring one or more specific characteristics to the transformed plant.
• a “transgenic plant” refers to a plant comprising a transgene in the genome of all of its cells.
• incorporation of a recombinant DNA molecule in the plant genome typically results from transformation of a cell or tissue (or from another genetic manipulation).
• the particular site of incorporation is either due to chance or is at a predetermined location (if a process of targeted integration is used).
• the transgene can be characterized by the location and the configuration at the site of incorporation of the recombinant DNA molecule in the plant genome.
• the site in the plant genome where a transgene has been inserted is also refe ⁇ ed to as the "insertion site” or "target site”. Insertion of the transgene into the plant genome can be associated with a deletion of plant DNA, refe ⁇ ed to as "target site deletion”.
• a "flanking region” or “flanking sequence” as used herein refers to a sequence of at least 20 bp, preferably at least 50 bp, and up to 5000 bp of the plant genome which is located either immediately upstream of and contiguous with or immediately downstream of and contiguous with the transgene.
• Transformation procedures leading to random integration of the transgene will result in transformants with different flanldng regions, which are characteristic and unique for each transformant.
• An "insertion region” as used herein refers to the region co ⁇ esponding to the region encompassed by the insertion site (and possible target site deletion), the upstream and the downstream flanking regions of a transgene in the (untransformed) plant genome.
• transgene expression of the transgene is used to indicate that the gene(s) of interest comprised in the transgene is expressed so as to confer on the plant one or more phenotypic traits (e.g. herbicide tolerance) that were intended to be confe ⁇ ed by the introduction of the recombinant DNA molecule - the transfonning DNA - used during transformation (on the basis of the structure and function of part or all of the gene(s) of interest).
• phenotypic traits e.g. herbicide tolerance
• An event is defined as a (artificial) genetic locus that, as a result of genetic manipulation, carries a transgene comprising at least one copy of a gene of interest.
• the typical allelic states of an event are the presence or absence of the transgene.
• An event is characterized phenotypically by the expression of the transgene.
• an event is part of the genetic makeup of a plant.
• an event is characterized by the restriction map (e.g. as determined by Southern blotting) and/or by the upstream and/or downstream flanking sequences of the transgene, and/or the molecular configuration of the transgene.
• transformation of a plant with a transforming DNA comprising at least one gene of interest leads to a multitude of events, each of which is unique.
• An elite event is an event which is selected from a group of events obtained by transformation with the same transforming DNA, based on the expression and stability of the transgene and its compatibility with optimal agronomic characteristics of the plant comprising it.
• the criteria for elite event selection are one or more, preferably two or more, advantageously all of the following: a) That the presence of the transgene does not compromise other desired characteristics of the plant, such as those relating to agronomic performance or commercial value; b) That the event is characterized by a well defined molecular configuration which is stably inherited and for which appropriate diagnostic tools for identity control can be developed; c) That the gene(s) of interest in the transgene shows a co ⁇ ect, appropriate and stable spatial and temporal phenotypic expression, both in heterozygous (or hemizygous) and homozygous condition of the event, at a commercially acceptable level in a range of environmental conditions in which the plants carrying the event are likely to be exposed in normal
• the transgene is associated with a position in the plant genome that allows introgression into desired commercial genetic backgrounds.
• the status of an event as an elite event is confirmed by introgression of the elite event in different relevant genetic backgrounds and observing compliance with one, two or all of the criteria e.g. a), b) and c) above.
• An “elite event” thus refers to a genetic locus comprising a transgene, which answers to the above-described criteria.
• a plant, plant material or progeny such as seeds can comprise the elite event in its genome.
• the "diagnostic tools" developed to identify an elite event or the plant or plant material comprising an elite event are based on the specific genomic characteristics of the elite event, such as, a specific restriction map of the genomic region comprising the transgene and/or the sequence of the flanking region(s) of the transgene.
• a "restriction map” as used herein refers to a set of Southern blot patterns obtained after cleaving plant genomic DNA with a particular restriction enzyme, or set of restriction enzymes and hybridization with a probe sharing sequence similarity with the transgene (under specific conditions). Due to the (endogenous) restriction sites present in a plant genome prior to incorporation of the transgene, insertion of a transgene will alter the specific restriction map of that genome. Thus, a particular transformant or progeny derived thereof can be identified by one or more specific restriction patterns.
• the conditions for determining the restriction map of an event are laid out in a restriction map identification protocol.
• plants or plant material comprising an elite event can be identified by testing according to a PCR identification protocol.
• This is a PCR using primers which specifically recognize the elite event.
• a set of primers is developed which recognizes a) a sequence within the 3' or 5' flanking sequence of the elite event and b) a sequence within the foreign DNA, which primers amplify a fragment (integration fragment) preferably of between 100 and 350 nucleotides.
• a control is included of a set of primers which amplifies a fragment within a housekeeping gene of the plant species (preferably a fragment which is larger than the amplified integration fragment).
• the optimal conditions for the PCR, including the sequence of the specific primers is specified in a PCR identification protocol.
• sequence similarity for instance, with respect to a nucleotide sequence, is intended to indicate a quantitative measure of homology between two sequences. The percent sequence similarity can be calculated as
• the DNA sequence AGTCAGTC will have a sequence similarity of 75% with the sequence AATCAATC
• the invention comprehends nucleic acid molecules and with sequences having at least 65%>, e.g., at least 70%), such as at least 75%, or at least 80% or advantageously at least 85%, for instance at least 90%, such as at least 95% or even 97% or 100% similarity with sequences disclosed herein, as well as plants, cells, tissues, seeds, and progeny thereof (e.g., rice plants, cells, tissues, seeds and progeny thereof) comprising such nucleic acid molecules.
• sequences having at least 65%>, e.g., at least 70%), such as at least 75%, or at least 80% or advantageously at least 85%, for instance at least 90%, such as at least 95% or even 97% or 100% similarity with sequences disclosed herein, as well as plants, cells, tissues, seeds, and progeny thereof (e.g., rice plants, cells, tissues, seeds and progeny thereof) comprising such nucleic acid molecules.
• sequence similarity refers to the number of positions with identical nucleotides divided by the number of nucleotides in the shorter of the two sequences wherein alignment of the two sequences can be determined in accordance with the Wilbur and Lipmann algorithm (Wilbur and Lipman, 1983 PNAS USA 80:726) using a window size of 20 nucleotides, a word length of 4 nucleotides, and a gap penalty of 4, and computer- assisted analysis and interpretation of the sequence data including alignment can be conveniently performed using programs of the Intelligenetics TM
• Sequences which are "essentially similar” have a sequence similarity or identity of at least about 75%, advantageously at least about
• RNA sequences are said to be essentially similar or similar, or have a degree of sequence identity with
• thymidine (T) in the DNA sequence is considered equal to uracil (U) in the RNA sequence.
• the present invention relates to the development of an elite event in rice, GAT-OS 1 , and the plants, plant cells, or plant material derived from this event.
• Plants comprising elite event GAT-OS1 were obtained through transformation with a 1501 bp Pvul- Hindlll fragment of plasmid pB5/35Sbar (SEQ ID No. 6) as described in example 1.
• the recombinant DNA molecule used for generation of this elite event comprises a DNA sequence encoding the enzyme phosphinothricin acetyl transferase and the 35S promoter of Cauliflower Mosaic Virus, wherein the sequence encoding phosphinothricin acetyl transferase is under the control of the 35S promoter of Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (termed the "35S-bar gene").
• the 35S promoter has a "constitutive" expression pattern in rice (Battraw et al, 1990, Plant Mol Biol 15:527- 538), which means that it is significantly expressed in most plant cell types, during most of the plant life cycle.
• the expression of the 35S-bar gene in rice plants confers resistance to the herbicidal compounds phosphinothricin or bialaphos or glufosinate or more generally, glutamine synthetase inhibitors, or salts or optical isomers thereof.
• Plants or plant material comprising GAT-OS 1 can be identified according to the restriction map identification protocol described in Example 3b)(l) herein. Briefly, rice genomic DNA is digested with a selection (preferably one or more such as two to five) of the following restriction enzymes: Nsil, Ncol, Hindlll, EcoRV, EcoRI, is then transfe ⁇ ed to nylon membranes and hybridized with the about 1327 bp EcoRI fragment of plasmid pB5/35Sbar.
• a selection preferably one or more such as two to five
• - Nsil at least one fragment of between about 5077 and about 14057 bp, preferably of about 12 kbp, and one fragment of between about 5077 and about 11497 bp, preferably of about 7,0 kbp
• - Ncol at least one fragment of between about 2838 and about 4507 bp, preferably of about 3,2 kbp, one fragment of between about 2140 and about 2443 bp, preferably of about 2,3 kbp, and one fragment of between about 1986 and about 2443 bp, preferably of about 2,1 kbp; preferably also one fragment of between about 805 and about 1093 bp, preferably of about 1,0 kbp
• Hindlll at least one fragment of more than about 11497 bp, preferably of about 14kbp, and one fragment of between about 5077 and about 14057 bp, preferably of about 13 kbp
• - EcoRV at least one fragment of between about 1700 and about 1986 bp, preferably of about 1,7 kbp, one fragment of between about 1159 and about 1700 bp, preferably of about 1,6 kbp, one fragment of between about 805 and about 1093 bp, preferably of about 1,0 kbp; preferably also one or more of the following: one fragment of between about 5077 and about 14057 bp, preferably of about 12 kbp, one fragment of between about 4507 and about 5077 bp, preferably of about 4,7 kbp, one fragment of between about 2838 and about 4507 bp, preferably of about 2,9 kbp, one fragment of between about 805 and about 1159 bp, preferably of about 1,1 kbp, and one fragment of between about 514 and about 805 bp, preferably of about 600 bp
• - EcoRI at least one fragment of between about 1159 and about 1986 bp, preferably of about 1,7 bp, and one fragment of between about 1159 and about 1700 bp, preferably of about 1327 bp; preferably also one or both of: one fragment of between about 514 and about 805 bp, preferably of about 0,7 kbp, and one fragment of less than about 805 bp, preferably of about 0,5 kbp.
• the lengths of the DNA fragments are determined by comparison with a set of DNA fragments of known length, preferably the Pstl fragments of phage lambda DNA.
• the rice plant is determined to harbor elite event GAT-OS 1.
• Plants or plant material comprising GAT-OS 1 can also be identified according to the PCR identification protocol described in Example 3b)(2) herein. Briefly, rice genomic DNA is amplified by PCR using a primer which specifically recognizes a flanking sequence of GAT-OS1, preferably the primer with the sequence of SEQ ID No 3, and a primer which recognizes a sequence in the transgene, preferably the primer with the sequence of SEQ ID No 2. Endogenous rice primers are used as controls. If the plant material yields a fragment of between about 490 and about 550 bp, preferably of about 522 bp, the rice plant is determined to harbor elite event GAT-OS 1.
• Plants harboring GAT-OS 1 are also characterized by their glufosinate tolerance, which in the context of the present invention includes that plants are tolerant to the herbicide LibertyTM.
• Tolerance to LibertyTM is defined by the criterium that spraying of the plants in the three to four leaf stage (3 V to 4V) with at least 200 grams active ingredient/hectare (g.a.i./ha), preferably 400 g.a.i./ha, and possibly up to 1600 g.a.i./ha, does not kill the plants.
• Plants harboring GAT-OS 1 are of course further characterized by the presence in their cells of phosphinothricin acetyl transferase as determined by a PAT assay (De Block et al, 1987, supra).
• the present invention also relates to the development of an elite event in rice, GAT- OS2, and the plants, plant cells, or plant material derived from this event.
• Plants comprising elite event GAT-OS2 were obtained through transformation with a 1501 bp Pvul-Hindi ⁇ fragment of plasmid pB5/35Sbar (SEQ ID No 12) as described in example 5.
• the recombinant DNA molecule used for generation of this elite event comprises a DNA sequence encoding the enzyme phosphinothricin acetyl transferase and the 35S promoter of Cauliflower Mosaic Virus, wherein the sequence encoding phosphinothricin acetyl transferase is under the control of the 35S promoter of Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (termed the "35S-bar gene").
• the 35S promoter has a
• 35S-bar gene confers resistance to herbicidal compounds phosphinothricin or bialaphos or glufosinate or more generally, glutamine synthetase inhibitors, or salts or optical isomers thereof.
• Plants or plant material comprising GAT-OS2 can be identified according to the restriction map identification protocol described in Example 7 b)(l) herein. Briefly, rice genomic DNA is digested with a selection (preferably at least one such as at least two, advantageously at least three, or at least four, or at least five such as three to six) of the following restriction enzymes: EcoRI, BamHI, EcoRV, Hindlll, Ncol, Nsil, is then transfe ⁇ ed to nylon membranes and hybridized with the aboutl327 bp EcoRI fragment of plasmid pB5/35Sbar. It is then determined for each restriction enzyme used whether the following fragments can be identified:
• - BamHI one fragment of between about 1700 and about 2140 bp, preferably of about 2,0 kbp and one fragment of between about 805 and about 1093 bp, preferably of about 805 bp
• Hindlll one fragment of between about 5077 and about 11497 bp, preferably of about 5,3 kbp
• - Nsil one fragment of between about 4749 and about 11497 bp, preferably of about 5,1 kbp.
• the lengths of the DNA fragments are determined by comparison with a set of DNA fragments of known length, particularly the Pstl fragments of phage lambda DNA. If the plant material after digestion with at least one such as at least two, advantageously at least three, preferably at least four, especially with at least 5, more preferably with all of these restriction enzymes, yields DNA fragments with the same length as those described above, the rice plant is determined to harbor elite event GAT-OS2.
• Plants or plant material comprising GAT-OS2 can also be identified according to the PCR identification protocol described in Example 7b)(2) herein. Briefly, rice genomic DNA is amplified by PCR using a primer which specifically recognizes a flanking sequence of GAT-OS2, particularly the primer with the sequence of SEQ ID No 11, and a primer which recognizes a sequence in the transgene, particularly the primer with the sequence of SEQ ID No 2. Endogenous rice primers are used as controls. If the plant material yields a fragment of between about 290 and about 350 bp, preferably of about 313 bp, the rice plant is determined to harbor elite event GAT- OS2.
• Plants harboring GAT-OS2 are also characterized by their glufosinate tolerance, which in the context of the present invention includes that plants are tolerant to the herbicide LibertyTM.
• Tolerance to LibertyTM is defined by the criterium that spraying of the plants in the three to four leaf stage (3 V to 4V) with at least 200 grams active ingredient/hectare (g.a.i./ha), preferably 400 g.a.i./ha, and possibly up to 1600 g.a.i./ha, does not kill the plants.
• Plants harboring GAT-OS2 can further be characterized by the presence in their cells of phosphinothricin acetyl transferase as determined by a PAT assay (De Block et al, 1987, supra).
• Plants harboring GAT-OS 1 can, for example, be obtained from seeds deposited at the ATCC under number ATCC 203353 and plants harboring GAT-OS2 can, for example, be obtained from seeds deposited at the ATCC under number ATCC 203352.
• Such plants can be further propagated and/or used in a conventional breeding scheme to produce more transformed plants with the same characteristics or to introduce the elite event of the invention into other cultivars of the same plant species. Seeds obtained from these plants contain the elite event stably incorporated into their genome.
• the rice plants of this invention can be cultivated in a conventional way. The presence of the transgene ensures that they are tolerant to glufosinate. Therefore, weeds in the fields where such rice plants are grown can be controlled by application of herbicides comprising glufosinate as an active ingredient (such as Liberty ).
• Plants harboring and GAT-OS 1 and GAT-OS2 are also characterized by having agronomical characteristics which are comparable to the following commercially available rice varieties in the US: Priscilla, Cypress, Bengal, Cocadrie, Jefferson, Madison, M202, M201, Ml 03, Drew, Kaybonnet, Lagrue.
• the agronomical characteristics of relevance are: plant height, strength/stiffness of straw, resistance to lodging, leaf morphology (length, width, and angle for flag leaf), time to maturity, floret configuration, panicle fertility, complete closure of the hull on the seed, grain size and shape, and grain production and yield.
• transgene in this region of the rice plant genome, more particularly at this site in the rice plant genome, confers particularly interesting phenotypic and molecular characteristics to this event. More specifically, the presence of a transgene at this particular site in the genome results in stable phenotypic expression of the transgene without significantly compromising any aspect of desired agronomic performance of the plant.
• the insertion region co ⁇ esponding to SEQ ID No 13, more particularly the insertion site of GAT-OS2 therein, is shown to be particularly suited for the introduction of a gene(s) of interest, such as a herbicide resistance gene, more specifically a gene encoding phosphinothricin acetyl transferase under the control of a 35S promoter, particularly the Pvul-Hindlll fragment of plasmid pB5/35Sbar.
• a gene(s) of interest such as a herbicide resistance gene, more specifically a gene encoding phosphinothricin acetyl transferase under the control of a 35S promoter, particularly the Pvul-Hindlll fragment of plasmid pB5/35Sbar.
• a recombinant DNA molecule can be specifically inserted in this insertion region by targeted insertion methods.
• Such methods are well known to those skilled in the art and comprise, for example, homologous recombination using a recombinase such as, but not limited to either FLP recombinase from Saccharomyces cervisiae (US Patent 5,527,695), the CRE recombinase from Escherichia coli phage PI (published PCT application WO 9109957, the recombinase from pSRI of Saccharomyces rouxii (Araki et al. 1985, J Mol Biol 182:191-203), or the lambda phage recombination system such as described in US Patent 4,673,640.
• DNA can be inserted into a plant genome, such as a rice genome by techniques including, electroporation methods, bombardment with DNA-coated gold particles or biolistic methods, or agrobacterium or polyethylene glycol mediated methods, and the like
• nucleic acid or protein comprising a sequence of nucleotides or amino acids
• a chimeric gene comprising a DNA sequence which is functionally or structurally defined, may comprise additional DNA sequences, etc.
• SEQ ID No. 1 sequence comprising the 3 ' flanking region of GAT-OS 1
• SEQ ID No. 2 OSA03 : primer of the PCR identification protocol
• SEQ ID No. 3 OSA05: GAT-OS 1 -specific primer of the PCR identification protocol
• OSA01 rice endogenous primer
• OSA02 rice endogenous primer
• SEQ ID No. 6 plasmid pB5/35Sbar SEQ ID No. 7 insertion region
• SEQ ID No 8 sequence comprising the 5' flanking region of GAT-OS2
• SEQ ID No 9 sequence comprising the 3' flanking region of GAT-OS2
• SEQ ID No 10 sequence comprising the insertion site of GAT-OS2
• SEQ ID No 2 OSA03: primer of the PCR identification protocol
• SEQ ID No 4 OSA01 rice endogenous primer
• SEQ ID No 5 OSA02 rice endogenous primer
• SEQ ID No 12 plasmid pB5/35Sbar
• SEQ ID No 13 insertion region
• a plasmid pB5/35Sbar was constructed following standard procedures. The sequence of plasmid pB5/35Sbar is given in SEQ ID No. 6. Digestion with Pvul-Hindlll yielded a 1501 bp fragment which comprised the following genetic elements:
• the 1501 bp Pvul-Hindlll fragment was purified by extraction of this fragment after electrophoresis.
• the pedigree includes LR-8,
• M-101 was derived from a mutation in Calrose (Johnson C.W. et al. 1986, Crop Science 26:198).
• Transformation of rice plants with the 1501 bp Pvul-Hindlll fragment of pB5/35Sbar was performed using direct DNA transfer. Selection was done on phosphinothricin (PPT) at all stages except plantlet regeneration, which was done in the absence of PPT to accelerate growth. This resulted in a set of primary transformants (plants of generation To).
• PPT phosphinothricin
• To hemizygous plantlets were transitioned from tissue culture, transfe ⁇ ed to greenhouse soil, and allowed to flower and set seed. Plantlets were evaluated for fertility, fecundity and tolerance to glufosinate ammonium. 20 plants were selected for further analysis. Ti seed produced by selfing was collected from these plants and grown in the field. T ⁇ plants were sprayed with LibertyTM herbicide at 800 grams active ingredient per hectare (g.a.i./ha; recommended dosage for farmers 400 g.a.i./ha). The events that survived the herbicide application and segregated 3:1 for herbicide tolerance were selected for further evaluation. Tolerant plants were evaluated for damage (leaf tip burn).
• T 2 seeds were harvested from panicles of all tolerant plants of selected events. These were sown in rows and T 2 plants were sprayed with LibertyTM herbicide (1600 g.a.i./ha) to evaluate segregation of the herbicide tolerance. Those rows that had 100% survivors and thus co ⁇ esponded to lines which were homozygous for the transgene were selected. These were again evaluated for herbicide damage and phenotypic traits. Further selection of events was made based on uniformity of phenotype within the panicle row (for the desired characteristics). b) Characterization of transgenic events - selection of GAT-OS 1
• Transgenic events were further characterized for southern blot patterns, general phenotype and agronomic performance, and yield. Where appropriate these characteristics were determined in field conditions.
• Presence of the transgene was checked by standard Southern blot analysis using enzymatic digestion of rice genomic DNA with EcoRI or EcoRV and hybridization to the 1327 bp EcoRI fragment of pB5/35Sbar.
• the relative band intensity provided an indication on whether plants were homozygous or hemizygous for the transgenic locus. All events except one were found to have simple insertions. This was confirmed by the fact that the segregation pattern of the transgene could be explained by Mendelian inheritance of a simple locus.
• T ⁇ and T 2 plants were evaluated for a number of phenotypic traits including plant height, strength/stiffness of straw, tendency to lodge, leaf morphology (too thin or inco ⁇ ect angle for flag leaf), late maturity, floret configuration, panicle sterility or incomplete fertility, incomplete closure of the hull on the seed (which would lead to increased disease susceptibility), grain size and shape, and grain production and yield. Lines were evaluated to be similar (or improved) in displayed agronomic characteristics compared to the untransformed M202 cultivar and the following rice varieties: M201, M103, Drew, Kaybonnet, Lagrue, Priscilla, Cypress, Bengal, Cocadrie, Jefferson, Madison. In some cases, the plants within a panicle row segregated for somaclonal variation for one or more of the above-mentioned traits. Unless this resulted in the introduction of a commercially interesting phenotypic trait, these plants were discarded.
• T2 seeds were harvested in bulk from the selected homozygous populations and were compared to variety standards of M202. The seeds were planted as panicle rows in isolated blocks representing each event. Transgenic plots were sprayed with 1,600 g.a.i./ha of LibertyTM herbicide or not sprayed ("no-spray" plots). Plots with non- transgenic variety standards were not sprayed with LibertyTM. Standard herbicide treatments to control local weeds were applied to all plots.
• the locus of the transgene was analyzed in detail on a molecular level. This included detailed Southern blot analysis and sequencing of one of the flanking regions of the transgene.
• Leaf tissue was harvested from transgenic and control plants. Total genomic DNA was isolated from leaf tissue according to Dellaporta et al. (1983, Plant Molecular Biology Reporter, 1, vol.3, p.19-21). The DNA concentration of each preparation was determined by measuring the optical density in a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of260 nm.
• genomic DNA 10 ⁇ g was digested with restriction enzyme in a final reaction volume of 40 ⁇ l, applying conditions proposed by the manufacturer. The time of digestion and/or amount of restriction enzyme were adjusted to ensure complete digestion of the genomic DNA samples without non-specific degradation. After digestion, 4 ⁇ l of loading dye was added to the digested DNA samples, and they were loaded on a 1% agarose gel.
• Phage Lambda DNA (strain Clind 1 ts 857 Sam 7, Life Technologies) digested with Pstl was included as size standard.
• the DNA samples were transfe ⁇ ed to a Nylon membrane by capillary blotting during 12 to 16 hours.
• the DNA templates used for probe preparation were prepared by restriction digestion of plasmid pB5/35Sbar with EcoRI. This released a 1327 bp DNA fragment that encompasses a relevant part of the transforming DNA (1501 bp Pvul-Hindlll fragment). After purification, the DNA fragment was labeled according to standard procedures, and used for hybridizing to the membrane.
• Hybridization was performed under standard stringency conditions: The labeled probe was denaturated by heating for 5 to 10 minutes in a water bath at 95°C to 100°C and chilling on ice for 5 to 10 minutes and added to the hybridization solution (6 X SSC
• Denhardt's 2% FicoU, 2% Polyvinyl pyrollidone, 2% Bovine Serum Albumin), 0.5
• the autoradiographs were electronically scanned.
• the sequence of one of the regions flanking the inserted transgene in the GAT-OS 1 event was determined using the thermal asymmetric interlaced (TAIL-) PCR method as described by Liu et al. (1995, The Plant Journal 8(3):457-463). This method utilizes three nested specific primers in successive reactions together with a shorter arbitrary degenerate (AD) primer so that the relative amplification efficiencies of specific and non-specific products can be thermally controlled.
• the specific primers were selected for annealing to the border of the transgene and based on their annealing conditions.
• a small amount (5 ⁇ l) of unpurified secondary and tertiary PCR products were analyzed on a 1% agarose gel. The tertiary PCR product was used for preparative amplification, purified and sequenced on an automated sequencer using the DyeDeoxy Terminator cycle kit.
• TAIL-PCR Pier site:
• the primers used were:
• the fragment amplified using MDB363-YTP054 was ca. 950 bp (3'flank: SEQ ID No. 1).
• the sequence between bp 1 and bp 603 co ⁇ esponded to pB5/35Sbar DNA, while bp 604 to bp 1009 comprised plant DNA.
• the genetic stability of the insert was checked by molecular and phenotypic analysis in the progeny plants over several generations.
• GAT-OS 1 was identified as an elite event.
• Rice plants containing the elite event GAT-OS 1 can be identified by Southern blotting using essentially the same procedure as described in Example 3 a) (1).
• rice genomic DNA is 1) digested with at least two, preferably at least 3, for instance with at least 4, more preferably with all of the following restriction enzymes: Nsil, Ncol, Hindlll, EcoRV, EcoRI, 2) transfe ⁇ ed to nylon membranes and 3) hybridized with the 1327 bp EcoRI fragment of plasmid pB5/35Sbar. If, with respect to each of the restriction enzymes, DNA fragments are identified with the same length as those listed in Table 1, the rice plant is determined to harbor elite event GAT-OS 1.
• test run with all appropriate controls, has to be perfo ⁇ ned before attempting to screen unknowns.
• the presented protocol might require optimization for components that may differ between labs (template DNA preparation, Taq DNA polymerase, quality of the primers, dNTP's, thermocyler, etc.)
• Amplification of the endogenous sequence plays a key role in the protocol.
• Template DNA is prepared according to Edwards et al. (Nucleic Acid Research, 19, pi 349, 1991). When using DNA prepared with other methods, a test run utilizing different amounts of template should be done. Usually 50 ng of genomic template DNA yields the best results.
• DNA negative control This is a PCR in which no DNA is added to the reaction. When the expected result, no PCR products, is observed this indicates that the PCR cocktail was not contaminated with target DNA.
• a DNA positive control (genomic DNA sample known to contain the transgenic sequences). Successful amplification of this positive control demonstrates that the PCR was ran under conditions which allow for the amplification of target sequences.
• a wildtype DNA control This is a PCR in which the template DNA provided is genomic DNA prepared from a non-transgenic plant. When the expected result, no amplification of the transgene PCR product but amplification of the endogenous PCR product, is observed this indicates that there is no detectable transgene background amplification in a genomic DNA sample.
• OSA03 5'-gAC.TCT.gTA.TgA.ACT.gTT.CgC-3' (SEQ ID 2)
• OS A05 5 '-gTT.CAT.CgA.gTg.gAT.ggC. ACC-3 ' (SEQ ID 3)
• Primers targeting an endogenous sequence are always included in the PCR cocktail. These primers serve as an internal control in unknown samples and in the DNA positive control. A positive result with the endogenous primer-pair demonstrates that there is ample DNA of adequate quality in the genomic DNA preparation for a PCR product to be generated.
• the endogenous primers used are:
• OSA01 5'-gAT.CAg.TgC.Agg.CAA.TAC.Tgg-3' (SEQ ID 4)
• OSA02 5'-TTC.CTA.ACA.TgT.ggg.TgT.Cg-3' (SEQ ID 5)
• the expected amplified fragments in the PCR reaction are:
• the PCR mix for 50 ⁇ l reactions contains:
• thermocycling profile to be followed for optimal results is the following:
• PCR samples Between 10 and 20 ⁇ l of the PCR samples should be applied on a 1.5% agarose gel (Tris-borate buffer) with an appropriate molecular weight marker (e.g. lOObp ladder PHARMACIA).
• Tris-borate buffer Tris-borate buffer
• an appropriate molecular weight marker e.g. lOObp ladder PHARMACIA
• DNA positive control shows the expected PCR products (transgenic and endogenous fragments)
• DNA negative control is negative for PCR amplification (no fragments)
• wildtype DNA control shows the expected result (endogenous fragment amplification).
• Lanes showing visible amounts of the transgenic and endogenous PCR products of the expected sizes indicate that the co ⁇ esponding plant from which the genomic template DNA was prepared, has inherited the GAT-OS 1 elite event. Lanes not showing visible amounts of the transgenic PCR product and showing visible amounts of the endogenous PCR product, indicate that the co ⁇ esponding plant from which the genomic template DNA was prepared, does not comprise the elite event. Lanes not showing visible amounts of the endogenous and transgenic PCR products, indicate that the quality and or quantity of the genomic DNA didn't allow for a PCR product to be generated. These plants cannot be scored. The genomic DNA preparation should be repeated and a new PCR run, with the appropriate controls, has to be performed.
• Rice leaf material from plants comprising different transgenic events was tested according to the above-described protocol. Samples from M202 wildtype and Bengal wildtype were taken as negative controls.
• Samples 10 and 11 (which in fact contained DNA from plants derived from the same event) are recognized as comprising elite event GAT-OS 1. All other tested lines do not comprise this elite event.
• Elite event GAT-OS 1 is introduced by repeated backcrossing into the following cultivars: - California Temperate Japonicas (such as but not limited to M204, M202, M201 , M103) California Tropical Japonicas (such as but not limited to L201 , L202) - Japanese and Korean Temperate Japonicas (such as but not limited to Koshihikari and Milyang)
• plant is intended to encompass plant tissues, at any stage of maturity, as well as any cells, tissues, or organs taken from or derived from any such plant, including without limitation, any seeds, leaves, stems, flowers, roots, single cells, gametes, cell cultures, tissue cultures or protoplasts.
• GAT-OS 1 Seed comprising elite event GAT-OS 1 was deposited as GAT-OS 1 at the ATCC under number: ATCC 203353.
• the 1501 bp Pvul-Hindlll fragment was purified by extraction of this fragment after electrophoresis.
• the Bengal Variety is a medium-grain rice developed by the Rice Research Station of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station. The variety was officially released in 1992.
• the pedigree includes MARS and M201 (Linscombe S.D. et al. 1993, Crop Science: 33:645-646). Transformation of rice plants with the 1501 bp Pvul-Hindlll fragment of pB5/35Sbar was performed using direct DNA transfer. Selection was done on phosphinothricin
• To hemizygous plantlets were transitioned from tissue culture, transfe ⁇ ed to greenhouse soil, and allowed to flower and set seed. Plantlets were evaluated for fertility, fecundity and tolerance to glufosinate ammonium. 19 plants were selected for further analysis. T ⁇ seed produced by selfing was collected from these plants and grown in the field. T 1 plants were sprayed with LibertyTM herbicide at 800 grams active ingredient per hectare (g.a.i./ha; recommended dosage for fanners is 400 g.a.i./ha). The events that survived the herbicide application and segregated 3:1 for herbicide tolerance were selected for further evaluation. Tolerant plants were evaluated for damage (leaf tip burn).
• T 2 seeds were harvested from panicles of all tolerant plants of selected events. These were sown in rows and T 2 plants were sprayed with LibertyTM herbicide (1600 g.a.i./ha) to evaluate segregation of the herbicide tolerance. Those rows that had 100% survivors and thus co ⁇ esponded to lines which were homozygous for the transgene were selected. These were again evaluated for herbicide damage and phenotypic traits. Further selection of events was made based on uniformity of phenotype within the panicle row (for the desired characteristics).
• Transgenic events were further characterized for southern blot patterns, general phenotype and agronomic performance, and yield. Where appropriate these characteristics were determined in field conditions. Southern blot analysis
• Presence of the transgene was checked by standard Southern blot analysis using enzymatic digestion of rice genomic DNA with EcoRV and hybridization to the 1327 bp EcoRI fragment of pB5/35Sbar.
• the relative band intensity provided an indication on whether plants were homozygous or hemizygous for the transgenic locus. Two events were found to have simple insertions. This was confinned by the fact that the segregation pattern of the transgene could be explained by Mendelian inheritance of a simple locus.
• Ti and T 2 plants were evaluated for a number of phenotypic traits including plant height, strength stiffness of straw, tendency to lodge, leaf morphology (too thin or inco ⁇ ect angle for flag leaf), late maturity, floret configuration, panicle sterility or incomplete fertility, incomplete closure of the hull on the seed (which would lead to increased disease susceptibility), grain size and shape, and grain production and yield. Lines were evaluated to be similar (or improved) in displayed agronomic characteristics compared to the untransformed Bengal cultivar and the following rice varieties: Priscilla, Cypress, Cocadrie, Jefferson, Madison, M202, M201, M103, Drew, Kaybonnet, Lagrue. In some cases, the plants within a panicle row segregated for somaclonal variation for one or more of the above-mentioned traits. Unless this resulted in the introduction of a commercially interesting phenotypic trait, these plants were discarded.
• T 2 seeds were harvested in bulk from the selected homozygous populations and were compared to variety standards of Bengal. The seeds were planted as panicle rows in isolated blocks representing each event. Transgenic plots were sprayed with 1,600 g.a.i./ha of LibertyTM herbicide or not sprayed ("no-spray" plots). Plots with non- transgenic variety standards were not sprayed with LibertyTM. Standard herbicide treatments to control local weeds were applied to all plots.
• the GAT-OS2 event was identified as the event in which expression of the transgene as well as overall agronomic perfonnance were optimal, the locus of the transgene was analyzed in detail on a molecular level. This included detailed Southern blot analysis and sequencing of the flanking regions of the transgene.
• Leaf tissue was harvested from transgemc and control plants. Total genomic DNA was isolated from leaf tissue according to Dellaporta et al. (1983, Plant Molecular Biology Reporter, 1, vol.3, p.19-21). The DNA concentration of each preparation was determined by measuring the optical density in a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 260 nm.
• genomic DNA 10 ⁇ g was digested with restriction enzyme in a final reaction volume of 40 ⁇ l, applying conditions proposed by the manufacturer. The time of digestion and/or amount of restriction enzyme were adjusted to ensure complete digestion of the genomic DNA samples without non-specific degradation. After digestion, 4 ⁇ l of loading dye was added to the digested DNA samples, and they were loaded on a 1% agarose gel.
• Phage Lambda DNA (strain Clind 1 ts 857 Sam 7, Life Technologies) digested with Pstl was included as size standard.
• the DNA samples were transfe ⁇ ed to a Nylon membrane by capillary blotting during 12 to 16 hours.
• the DNA templates used for probe preparation were prepared by restriction digestion of plasmid pB5/35Sbar with EcoRI. This released a 1327 bp DNA fragment that encompasses a relevant part of the transforming DNA (1501 bp Pvul-Hindlll fragment). After purification, the DNA fragment was labeled according to standard procedures, and used for hybridizing to the membrane.
• the autoradiographs were electronically scanned.
• the sequence of the regions flanking the inserted transgene in the GAT-OS2 event was determined using the thermal asymmetric interlaced (TAIL-) PCR method as described by Liu et al. (1995, The Plant Journal 8(3):457-463). This method utilizes three nested specific primers in successive reactions together with a shorter arbitrary degenerate (AD) primer so that the relative amplification efficiencies of specific and non-specific products can be thermally controlled.
• the specific primers were selected for annealing to the border of the transgene and based on their annealing conditions.
• a small amount (5 ⁇ l) of unpurified secondary and tertiary PCR products were analyzed on a 1% agarose gel. The tertiary PCR product was used for preparative amplification, purified and sequenced on an automated sequencer using the DyeDeoxy Terminator cycle kit.
• the primers used were:
• the fragment amplified using MDB556-MDB411 was ca. 400 bp of which 113 bp were sequenced (5 'flank: SEQ ID No 8).
• the sequence between bp 1 and bp 92 comprised plant DNA, while the sequence between bp 93 and bp 113 co ⁇ esponded to pB5/35Sbar DNA.
• the primers used were:
• the fragment amplified using MDB285-MDB410 was ca. 1200 bp (3'flank: SEQ ID No 9).
• OSA04 TCg.CAT.ATg.TAT.gTA.ACA.CgC 717 -» 697
• the complete rice insertion region (SEQ ID No 13) as sequenced comprises: 1-92: 5' flanking region bp 1-92 of SEQ ID No 8
• the genetic stability of the insert was checked by molecular and phenotypic analysis in the progeny plants over several generations.
• the GAT-OS2 event displayed Mendelian segregation for the transgene as a single genetic locus in at least three subsequent generations indicating that the insert is stable.
• GAT-OS2 was identified as an elite event.
• Rice plants containing the elite event GAT-OS2 can be identified by Southern blotting using essentially the same procedure as described in Example 7 a) (1).
• rice genomic DNA is 1) digested with at least three, preferably at least 4, particularly with at least 5, more particularly with all of the following restriction enzymes: EcoRI, BamHI, EcoRV, Hindlll, Ncol, Nsil , 2) transfe ⁇ ed to nylon membranes and 3) hybridized with the 1327 bp EcoRI fragment of plasmid pB5/35Sbar. If, with respect to each of the restriction enzymes used, DNA fragments are identified with the same length as those listed in Table 1, the rice plant is determined to harbor elite event GAT-OS2.
• the presented protocol might require optimization for components that may differ between labs (template DNA preparation, Taq DNA polymerase, quality of the primers, dNTP's, thermocyler, etc.).
• Amplification of the endogenous sequence plays a key role in the protocol.
• Template DNA is prepared according to Edwards et al. (Nucleic Acid Research, 19, pl349, 1991). When using DNA prepared with other methods, a test run utilizing different amounts of template should be done. Usually 50 ng of genomic template DNA yields the best results.
• DNA negative control This is a PCR in which no DNA is added to the reaction. When the expected result, no PCR products, is observed this indicates that the PCR cocktail was not contaminated with target DNA.
• a DNA positive control (genomic DNA sample known to contain the transgenic sequences). Successful amplification of this positive control demonstrates that the
• PCR was run under conditions which allow for the amplification of target sequences.
• OSA03 5'-gAC.TCT.gTA.TgA.ACT.gTT.CgC-3' (SEQ ID 2)
• OSA04 5'-TCg.CAT.ATg.TAT.gTA.ACA.CgC-3' (SEQ LD 11) (target: plant DNA)
• Primers targeting an endogenous sequence are always included in the PCR cocktail. These primers serve as an internal control in unknown samples and in the DNA positive control. A positive result with the endogenous primer-pair demonstrates that there is ample DNA of adequate quality in the genomic DNA preparation for a PCR product to be generated.
• the endogenous primers used are:
• OSA01 5'-gAT.CAg.TgC.Agg.CAA.TAC.Tgg-3' (SEQ ID 4)
• OSA02 5'-TTC.CTA.ACA.TgT.ggg.TgT.Cg-3' (SEQ ID 5)
• the expected amplified fragments in the PCR reaction are:
• the PCR mix for 50 ⁇ l reactions contains:
• thermocycling profile to be followed for optimal results is the following:
• PCR samples Between 10 and 20 ⁇ l of the PCR samples should be applied on a 1.5% agarose gel (Tris-borate buffer) with an appropriate molecular weight marker (e.g. lOObp ladder PHARMACIA).
• Tris-borate buffer Tris-borate buffer
• an appropriate molecular weight marker e.g. lOObp ladder PHARMACIA
• Data from fransgenic plant DNA samples within a single PCR run and a single PCR cocktail should not be acceptable unless 1) the DNA positive control shows the expected PCR products (transgenic and endogenous fragments), 2) the DNA negative control is negative for PCR amplification (no fragments) and 3) the wild-type DNA control shows the expected result (endogenous fragment amplification).
• Lanes showing visible amounts of the transgenic and endogenous PCR products of the expected sizes indicate that the co ⁇ esponding plant from which the genomic template DNA was prepared, has inherited the GAT-OS2 elite event. Lanes not showing visible amounts of the transgenic PCR product and showing visible amounts of the endogenous PCR product, indicate that the co ⁇ esponding plant from which the genomic template DNA was prepared, does not comprise the elite event. Lanes not showing visible amounts of the endogenous and transgenic PCR products, indicate that the quality and/or quantity of the genomic DNA didn't allow for a PCR product to be generated. These plants cannot be scored. The genomic DNA preparation should be repeated and a new PCR run, with the appropriate controls, has to be performed.
• Rice leaf material from plants comprising different transgenic events was tested according to the above-described protocol. Samples from M202 wild- type and Bengal wild-type were taken as negative controls.
• Samples 8 and 9 (which in fact contained DNA from plants derived from the same event) are recognized as comprising elite event GAT-OS2. All other tested lines do not comprise this elite event.
• plant is intended to encompass plant tissues, at any stage of maturity, as well as any cells, tissues, or organs taken from or derived from any such plant, including without limitation, any seeds, leaves, stems, flowers, roots, single cells, gametes, cell cultures, tissue cultures or protoplasts.
• GAT-OS2 Seed comprising elite event GAT-OS2 was deposited as GAT-OS2 at the ATCC under number: ATCC 203352.

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