Chloroplast transformation of Platymonas (Tetraselmis) subcordiformis with the bar gene as selectable marker

PLoS One. 2014 Jun 9;9(6):e98607. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098607. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

The objective of this research was to establish a chloroplast transformation technique for Platymonas (Tetraselmis) subcordiformis. Employing the gfp gene as a reporter and the bar gene as a selectable marker, transformation vectors of P. subcordiformis chloroplast were constructed with endogenous fragments rrn16S-trnI (left) and trnA-rrn23S (right) as a recombination site of the chloroplast genome. The plasmids were transferred into P. subcordiformis via particle bombardment. Confocal laser scanning microscopy indicated that the green fluorescence protein was localized in the chloroplast of P. subcordiformis, confirming the activity of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii promoter. Cells transformed with the bar gene were selected using the herbicide Basta. Resistant colonies were analyzed by PCR and Southern blotting, and the results indicated that the bar gene was successfully integrated into the chloroplast genome via homologous recombination. The technique will improve genetic engineering of this alga.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetyltransferases / genetics*
  • Chlorophyta / genetics*
  • Chloroplasts / genetics*
  • Genetic Engineering / methods*
  • Genetic Markers / genetics
  • Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase / genetics
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Transformation, Genetic*

Substances

  • Genetic Markers
  • Acetyltransferases
  • phosphinothricin N-acetyltransferase
  • Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Ocean Public Welfare Scientific Research Project, State Oceanic Administration of China (201205027), National Natural Science Foundation of China (41176144). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.