title: Transgenic expression of lactoferrin imparts enhanced resistance to head blight of wheat caused by Fusarium graminearum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The development of plant gene transfer systems has allowed for the introgression of alien genes into plant genomes for novel disease control strategies, thus providing a mechanism for broadening the genetic resources available to plant breeders. Using the tools of plant genetic engineering, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial gene was tested for resistance against head blight caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe, a devastating disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) that reduces both grain yield and quality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A construct containing a bovine lactoferrin cDNA was used to transform wheat using an Agrobacterium-mediated DNA transfer system to express this antimicrobial protein in transgenic wheat. Transformants were analyzed by Northern and Western blots to determine lactoferrin gene expression levels and were inoculated with the head blight disease fungus F. graminearum. Transgenic wheat showed a significant reduction of disease incidence caused by F. graminearum compared to control wheat plants. The level of resistance in the highly susceptible wheat cultivar Bobwhite was significantly higher in transgenic plants compared to control Bobwhite and two untransformed commercial wheat cultivars, susceptible Wheaton and tolerant ND 2710. Quantification of the expressed lactoferrin protein by ELISA in transgenic wheat indicated a positive correlation between the lactoferrin gene expression levels and the levels of disease resistance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Introgression of the lactoferrin gene into elite commercial wheat, barley and other susceptible cereals may enhance resistance to F. graminearum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA.
authors.forename: Jigang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Dilip K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Lakshman
authors.forename: Leny C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Galvez
authors.forename: Sharmila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mitra
authors.forename: Peter Stephen
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Baenziger
authors.forename: Amitava
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mitra
mesh_terms: D060054:Agrobacterium / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D060467:Disease Resistance; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005670:Fusarium / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014170:Transformation, Genetic; D019076:Transgenes; D014908:Triticum / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D007781:Lactoferrin