Abstract
Selection marker genes (SMGs) have been commonly used in genetic transformation of plants for efficient selection of transformed cells, tissue, or regenerated shoots. In the majority of cases, the selection is based on antibiotic or herbicide resistance. The presence of such genes within the environment or in the food supply might pose an unpredictable hazard to the ecosystem and to human health; therefore research has been initiated to develop an efficient marker-free transgenic system. Various techniques have been developed in recent years to generate marker free transgenic plants and to eliminate marker genes from transgenics. These include site-specific recombination, homologous recombination, transposition, transient co-integration of the marker gene, and a co-transformation-segregation approach, but success has been limited to only a few plant species. Transgenic technology could become more reliable with the improvement of existing marker gene removal strategies and the development of novel approaches for plant genome manipulation. This review describes the contemporary strategies deployed to generate marker-free transgenic plants and marker gene removal, the merits and shortcomings of different approaches, and possible directions for future research programmes.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 277-292 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Botanical Studies |
Volume | 51 |
Issue number | 3 |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Bio-safety
- Intra-chromosomal recombination
- Marker-free
- Positive selection
- Selection marker gene
- Site-specific recombination
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Plant Science