Split-transgene expression in wheat

Abstract

The establishment of traits that result from the concerted expression of complementing transgene fragments is a feasible tool for trait control or gene flow control in plants. This chapter describes the methodology for producing herbicide-resistant and pollen-sterile wheat plants by the intein-mediated assembly of inactive precursor protein fragments (protein trans-splicing). We suggest the design of intein-containing vectors for split-transgene expression. We describe transient plant assays that can be used to analyse the functionality of the system and describe the transformation of wheat plants using a split selection marker. We hope that this chapter will be a helpful guideline for researchers who are interested in applying similar split-gene approaches in wheat or other monocotyledonous crops. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.