Normal expression of insect-resistant transgene in progeny of common wild rice crossed with genetically modified rice: its implication in ecological biosafety assessment

Journal or Publishing Institution: Theoretical and Applied Genetics

Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19504082

Author(s): Xia, H., Lu, B.R., Su, J., Chen, R., Rong, J., Song, Z. and Wang, F.

Article Type: Peer Reviewed Study

Record ID: 1562

Abstract: Transgene outflow from genetically modified (GM) rice to its wild relatives may cause undesirable ecological consequences. Understanding the level of transgene expression in wild rice following gene flow is important for assessing such consequences, providing that transgene escape from GM rice cannot be prevented. To determine the expression of a transgene in common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon), we analyzed the content of Cry1Ac protein in three GM rice lines containing a Bt transgene, their F(1) hybrids with common wild rice and F(2) progeny at different growth stages, using the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The average content of Cry1Ac protein in leaf samples of the wild rice lines ranged between 0.016 and 0.069% during the entire growth period, whereas that in stems varied between 0.12 and 0.39%. A great variation in Cry1Ac protein content was detected among individuals of F(1) hybrids and F(2) progeny, with some wild individuals showing higher level of Bt toxin than the cultivated GM rice. The results suggest that the Bt transgene can express normally in the interspecific hybrids between insect-resistant GM rice and common wild rice, and may have similar effects on the target insects as in GM rice.

Keywords: Genetically Modify, Wild Rice, Genetically Modify Crop, Genetically Modify Rice, Cry1AC Protein; Bacillus thuringiensis, Oryza rufipogon, Biosafety, Developmental Stages, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Gene Expression, Gene Flow, Hybrids, Insects, Leaf Protein, Progeny, Protein Content, Stems, Transgenes, Wild Relatives, Wild Rice; Animals, Bacterial Proteins, Genetic Cross, Ecosystem, Endotoxins, Hemolysin Proteins, Insecta, Plant Leaves, Plant Stems, Genetically Modified Plants, Safety; Hybrid Rice, Insect-Resistant Packaging, Transgene Expression, Rice, Biosafety; Crosses, Ecology, Effects, ELISA, Environmental Impact, Genes, Growth Period, Growth Stages, Interspecific Hybridization, Progeny, Protein Content, Safety, Toxins, Transgenics, Wild Plants; Environmental Effects, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Citation: Xia, H., Lu, B.R., Su, J., Chen, R., Rong, J., Song, Z. and Wang, F., 2009. Normal expression of insect-resistant transgene in progeny of common wild rice crossed with genetically modified rice: its implication in ecological biosafety assessment. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 119(4), pp.635-644.