Activation tagging in aspen using an inducible two component Ac/Ds-enhancer element system

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Matthias Fladung
• Subject Area: Forestry
• Term: from 2005 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5449207

Based on the Ac/Ds two element transposition system from maize an activation tagging approach is suggested for the hybrid aspen (Populus tremula x tremuloides) line ¿Esch5¿. The proposed approach is based on results obtained from our earlier work on the genetic transfer of the maize transposable element Ac and its functional analysis in hybrid and pure aspen lines. It was shown that the Ac element is active in aspen and reintegrates elsewhere in genomic regions in high frequency. However, a two element transposon tagging system where Ac and Ds are put together in crosses is not feasible in trees due to the in part long vegetative phases. To overcome this barrier, an inducible two element Ac/ATDs element system is suggested to induce activation tagged variants following two independent transformation steps. In combination with a 35S enhancer tetramer and outward facing two CaMV 35S promoter located near both ends of the ATDs element, expression of genes can be elevated which are located adjacent to the new integration site of the element. As selective marker for ATDs transposition, both knocking-out the expression of a phenotypic marker (rolC gene) and a negative selection marker gene (tms) are considered. Thus, the transposition can easily be screened in primary transgenic lines.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants