title: Efficiency of the tetracycline-dependent gene expression system: complete suppression and efficient induction of the rolB phenotype in transgenic plants.
abstract: We have investigated the use of the tetracycline-dependent gene expression system to regenerate and propagate tobacco plants transformed with a gene whose product--when highly expressed--interferes with regeneration and/or further reproduction. Plants transformed with the Agrobacterium rhizogenes rolB gene under the control of the tetracycline-dependent expression system were phenotypically indistinguishable from wild type owing to efficient repression of the promoter. Induction of the rolB gene with tetracycline led to high-level expression of the rolB mRNA, which resulted in extremely stunted plants with necrotic and wrinkled leaves that did not develop a floral meristem. Upon cessation of tetracycline treatment healthy shoots developed even from severely affected meristems. Data on the dose response of the rolB phenotype as a function of tetracycline concentration demonstrate that the tetracycline-dependent gene expression system can be used to modulate the manifestation of a particular phenotype.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Genbiologische Forschung Berlin GmbH, Germany.
authors.forename: F T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Röder
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schmülling
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gatz
mesh_terms: D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D017343:Genes, Plant; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D010641:Phenotype; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D012038:Regeneration / Q000235:genetics; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D013752:Tetracycline