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Transgenic Tobacco Plants Expressing a Bacterial Detoxifying Enzyme are Resistant to 2,4-D

Bio/Technology volume 7, pages 811–816 (1989)Cite this article

Abstract

We have used a gene from the soil bacterium Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP134 to introduce a herbicide degrading mechanism into plants. The gene, tfdA, which encodes a 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate monooxygenase (DPAM) catalyzing the first step in the bacterial 2,4-D degradative pathway, has recently been cloned and sequenced. The coding sequence, fused with plant expression sequences was introduced into plants via Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. The chimeric gene was expressed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) under the control of either a constitutive or a light-inducible promoter. Transgenic tobacco lines tolerated elevated levels of 2,4-D in tissue culture, and regenerated plants showed resistance when sprayed with the herbicide.

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Author notes

  1. Wolfgang R. Streber: Corresponding author.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Schering AG Pflanzenschutzforschung, Müllerstrasse 178, D-1000, Berlin, 65, FRG

    Wolfgang R. Streber

  2. Institut für Genbiologische Forschung Berlin GmbH, Ihnestrasse 63, D-1000, Berlin, 33, FRG

    Wolfgang R. Streber & Lothar Willmitzer

Authors
  1. Wolfgang R. Streber
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  2. Lothar Willmitzer
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Streber, W., Willmitzer, L. Transgenic Tobacco Plants Expressing a Bacterial Detoxifying Enzyme are Resistant to 2,4-D. Nat Biotechnol 7, 811–816 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0889-811

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0889-811

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