Transgenic Bt cotton driven by the green tissue-specific promoter shows strong toxicity to lepidopteran pests and lower Bt toxin accumulation in seeds

• DOI: 10.1007/s11427-015-4920-6
• Publication Date: 2016-01-04T23:11:29Z
• Authors: Qing Wang; Yi Zhu; Lin Sun; Lebin Li; Shuangxia Jin; Xianlong Zhang
• Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis; Cauliflower mosaic virus

A promoter of the PNZIP (Pharbitis nil leucine zipper) gene (1.459 kb) was cloned from Pharbitis and fused to GUS (β-glucuronidase) Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin (Cry9C) genes. Several transgenic PNZIP::GUS PNZIP::Cry9C cotton lines were developed by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Strong staining detected in green tissues plants. In contrast, reproductive structures such as petals, anther, immature seeds very faint. Two one cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S::Cry9C line selected for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) insect bioassays. Expression Cry9C protein maintained a high level most ranging 24.6 45.5 μg g(-1) fresh weight. leaves, boll rinds, bracts line, accumulated up 50.2, 39.7, 48.3 weight respectively. (PZ1.3) only 0.26 protein, which 100 times lower than that recorded CaMV line. The bioassay showed plant exhibited strong resistance both bollworm pink bollworm. could effectively drive Bt toxin expression levels seeds. These features should allay public concerns about safety foods. We propose future utility an economical, environmentally friendly biotechnology.