title: A set of modular binary vectors for transformation of cereals.
abstract: Genetic transformation of crop plants offers the possibility of testing hypotheses about the function of individual genes as well as the exploitation of transgenes for targeted trait improvement. However, in most cereals, this option has long been compromised by tedious and low-efficiency transformation protocols, as well as by the lack of versatile vector systems. After having adopted and further improved the protocols for Agrobacterium-mediated stable transformation of barley (Hordeum vulgare) and wheat (Triticum aestivum), we now present a versatile set of binary vectors for transgene overexpression, as well as for gene silencing by double-stranded RNA interference. The vector set is offered with a series of functionally validated promoters and allows for rapid integration of the desired genes or gene fragments by GATEWAY-based recombination. Additional in-built flexibility lies in the choice of plant selectable markers, cassette orientation, and simple integration of further promoters to drive specific expression of genes of interest. Functionality of the cereal vector set has been demonstrated by transient as well as stable transformation experiments for transgene overexpression, as well as for targeted gene silencing in barley.
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, D-06466 Gatersleben, Germany.
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Himmelbach
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Zierold
authors.forename: Götz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hensel
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Riechen
authors.forename: Dimitar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Douchkov
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schweizer
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kumlehn
mesh_terms: D015870:Gene Expression; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D001467:Hordeum / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010641:Phenotype; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D034622:RNA Interference; D014170:Transformation, Genetic; D014908:Triticum / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers