Overexpression of a Bacterial Chitinase Gene in Plants: A Novel Approach to Disease Tolerance

摘要

The purpose of the research performed has been to produce transgenic tobacco plants which are expressing high levels of the chitinase (chiA) gene from Serratia marcesens, and secondarily to assay these plants for resistance to infection by the fungal pathogen Alternaria which contains significant chitin in the cell walls. Researchers have fused the chiA gene to three different promotor fragments which they have isolated, and know to direct high levels of mRNA synthesis specifically in leaf tissue of petunia or tobacco. These chimaeric genes have been introduced into tobacco protoplasts and stably transformed plants have been regenerated. The research described, demonstrates an approach to fungal disease control which may be of significant value.