Comparative field performance over 3 years and two sites of transgenic wheat lines expressing HMW subunit transgenes

Theor Appl Genet. 2006 Jun;113(1):128-36. doi: 10.1007/s00122-006-0279-1. Epub 2006 Apr 25.

Abstract

A series of transgenic wheat lines expressing additional high molecular weight (HMW) subunit genes and the corresponding control lines were grown in replicate field trials at two UK sites (Rothamsted Research, approximately 50 km north of London and Long Ashton, near Bristol) over 3 years (1998, 1999, 2000), with successive generations of the transgenic lines (T3, T4, T5) being planted. Four plots from each site were used to determine grain dry weight, grain nitrogen, dough strength (measured as peak resistance by Mixograph analysis) and the expression levels of the endogenous and "added" subunits. Detailed statistical analyses showed that the transgenic and non-transgenic lines did not differ in terms of stability of HMW subunit gene expression or in stability of grain nitrogen, dry weight or dough strength, either between the 3 years or between sites and plots. These results indicate that the transgenic and control lines can be regarded as substantially equivalent in terms of stability of gene expression between generations and environments.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breeding
  • Gene Expression
  • Genomic Instability
  • Glutens / chemistry
  • Glutens / genetics
  • Molecular Weight
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Protein Subunits
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Seeds / growth & development
  • Triticum / chemistry
  • Triticum / genetics*
  • Triticum / growth & development

Substances

  • Protein Subunits
  • Glutens
  • glutenin