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Reference Report for SoyBase3402228
Title:Biolistic transformation, expression, and inheritance of bovine beta-casein in soybean (Glycine max)
Authors:Maughan, P.J., Philip, R., Cho, M.J., Widholm, J.M., Vodkin, L.O.
Source:Invitro Cell. Devl. Biol. Plant 1999, 35(4):344-349
Abstract:A 630-bp DNA fragment encoding a bovine milk protein, beta-casein, was cloned into a seed-specific lectin promoter expression cassette and introduced into soybean somatic embryos via particle bombardment. Four hygromycin-resistant embryogenic cell lines were selected. All four lines were positive for the beta-casein gene via Southern blot analysis; however, only one line did not show significant rearrangement of the beta-casein gene and/or lectin promoter. The presence of the beta-casein gene in the genome of the four plants regenerated from this culture was confirmed via Southern blot hybridization analysis. DNA blot experiments and progeny inheritance analysis indicated that the plants contain four to eight copies of the beta-casein gene and that the insertion occurred at a single genetic locus. Bovine beta-casein mRNA was highly expressed in developing cotyledons. A very low level of beta-casein mRNA was found in leaf tissues although endogenous lectin transcripts were not found in the same samples. Bovine beta-casein protein was expressed in cotyledons of transformed plants but was not detectable in leaf tissues of transformed plants by immunoblotting. Bovine beta-casein produced in the individual developing seed of the first generation of transgenic plants migrated as two closely spaced bands very similar to those of pure bovine beta-casein. This experiment represents the first report of the expression of a milk protein in soybean and opens the way for the general improvement of protein quality in soybean directed by seed-specific promoters.






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