Abstract:
For development of a safe and efficient in vivo marker for plant transformation, an myb-related gene of
anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, VlmybA1-2 from grape, was introduced into anthocyanin producing
tobacco and Arabidopsis, and non- anthocyanin producing spinach under the control of CaMV 35S pro moter. Except for the distinguishable purple color, transformed calli and plants of tobacco were not
different from controls. RNA gel blot hybridization confirmed the expression of VlmybA1-2 in purple
tobacco seedlings. Completely purple T1 Arabidopsis seedlings could not survive as high anthocyanin
levels may affect normal growth; Surviving T1 seedlings could produce viable seeds of two distinguish able colors: purple and brown (similar to wild type). Purple seeds germinated on kanamycin medium
providing an easy method of transgenic seed identification in Arabidopsis. T2 and T3 completely purple
seedlings produced purple flowers and seeds. Putative transgenic spinach was not different to control in
color, although presence of VlmybA1-2 was confirmed by DNA gel blot hybridization. VlmybA alone,
without the aid of an myc-related gene partner, could induce complete pigmentation in tobacco and
Arabidopsis indicating its potential over previously used myb- and myc-related genes.
