Morphogenic RegulatorsBaby boomandWuschelImprove Monocot Transformation.
While transformation of the major monocot crops is currently possible, the process typically remains confined to one or two genotypes per species, often with poor agronomics, and efficiencies that place these methods beyond the reach of most academic laboratories. Here, we report a transformation approach involving overexpression of the maize (Zea mays)Baby boom(Bbm) and maizeWuschel2(Wus2) genes, which produced high transformation frequencies in numerous previously nontransformable maize inbred lines. For example, the Pioneer inbred PHH5G is recalcitrant to biolistic andAgrobacterium tumefacienstransformation. However, whenBbmandWus2were expressed, transgenic calli were recovered from over 40% of the starting explants, with most producing healthy, fertile plants. Another limitation for many monocots is the intensive labor and greenhouse space required to supply immature embryos for transformation. This problem could be alleviated using alternative target tissues that could be supplied consistently with automated preparation. As a major step toward this objective, we transformedBbmandWus2directly into either embryo slices from mature seed or leaf segments from seedlings in a variety of Pioneer inbred lines, routinely recovering healthy, fertile T0 plants. Finally, we demonstrated that the maizeBbmandWus2genes stimulate transformation in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) immature embryos, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) callus, and indica rice (Oryza sativasspindica) callus.
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Keith
K
Lowe
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Emily
E
Wu
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Ning
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7816-9023
N
Wang
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
George
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2709-699X
G
Hoerster
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Craig
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0993-6062
C
Hastings
DuPont Pioneer, Hayward, California 94545.
Myeong-Je
MJ
Cho
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Chris
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0589-2330
C
Scelonge
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Brian
B
Lenderts
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Mark
M
Chamberlin
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Josh
J
Cushatt
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Lijuan
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0985-6879
L
Wang
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Larisa
L
Ryan
Fruhling Biosciences, West Marredpally, Secunderabad, Telangana 500026, India.
Tanveer
T
Khan
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Julia
J
Chow-Yiu
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Wei
W
Hua
DuPont Pioneer, Hayward, California 94545.
Maryanne
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5105-6926
M
Yu
DuPont Pioneer, Hayward, California 94545.
Jenny
J
Banh
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Zhongmeng
Z
Bao
DuPont, DuPont Experimental Station, Wilmington, Delaware 19803.
Kent
K
Brink
DuPont, DuPont Experimental Station, Wilmington, Delaware 19803.
Elizabeth
E
Igo
DuPont Knowledge Center, Hyderabad-500078, India.
Bhojaraja
B
Rudrappa
DuPont Knowledge Center, Hyderabad-500078, India.
P M
PM
Shamseer
BASF Plant Science, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709.
Wes
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8743-0377
W
Bruce
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Lisa
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4886-6762
L
Newman
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Bo
B
Shen
Dow AgroSciences, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268.
Peizhong
P
Zheng
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Dennis
D
Bidney
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Carl
C
Falco
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Jim
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8960-2849
J
Register
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Zuo-Yu
ZY
Zhao
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Deping
D
Xu
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131.
Todd
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5452-5601
T
Jones
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa 50131 william.gordon-kamm@pioneer.com.
William
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4852-751X
W
Gordon-Kamm