Transferring a Gene Expression Cassette Lacking the Vector Backbone Sequences of the 1Ax1 High Molecular Weight Glutenin Subunit into Two Chinese Hexaploid Wheat Genotypes

lAxl high molecular weight glutenin subunit (HMW-GS) gene expression cassette (GEC) lacking vector backbone sequences together with selectable marker Bar GEC were co-transformed into Chinese hexaploid cultivars Een 1 and Emai 12 to test the feasibility and the efficiency of explant regeneration, transformation frequency and transgene expression comparing with whole vector transformation by the approaches of plasmid extraction and excision, immature embryo isolation, particle co-bombardment, tissue culture, DNA extraction, PCR amplification, southern hybridization, leaf-painting test and SDS-PAGE etc. No significant difference was shown in tissue culture response of the proportion of embryogenic calli, somatic embryogenesis and regeneration frequency between GEC and whole plasmid bombarded embryos, but both regenerated less well than non-bombarded control. Total 56 plantlets that survived PPT selection had insertion of at least the Bar gene, 18 were from the GEC treatment and 38 from the whole plasmid treatment, the escape ratio averaged 0.23. Six independent transplants f230 - f235 with GEC transformation from genotype Emai 12 presented clear PCR amplification bands of Bar and lAxl gene. The transformation and co-transformation frequency were 3.51 and 100% respectively. PCR amplification using a primer-pair specific for ampicillin resistant gene indicated the existence of AmpR gene in whole vectors but the removal in GECs and transplants. Southern blot of total DNA and PCR products from transgenic plants of lAxl GEC confirmed the integration of the transgene lAxl and the absence of the EcoR I recognition site at both ends of the lAxl GEC when integrated. SDS-PAGE showed the expression of lAxl GEC and un-expression of whole plasmid. The length of integrated fragment, the proportion of the gene of interest (GOI) and the selectable marker (MG), bombardment pressure and genotypes are vital for the expression of a transformed GEC.