Increased tolerance to salt- and water-deficit stress in transgenic lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) by constitutive expression of LEA

Byong Jin Park, Zaochang Liu, Akira Kanno, Toshiaki Kameya

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) protein gene, ME-leaN4, from rape (Brassica napus) was successfully introduced into lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Infection by Agrobacterium strain EHA101 containing the binary vector pIG121-LEA was applied. Six independent transgenic lettuce plants were generated as a result. Transgenic lettuce demonstrated enhanced growth ability as compared to non-transformed control plants under salt-stress and water-deficit stress conditions. After 10-day growth under 100 mM NaCl condition in the hydroponics, average plant length and fresh weight of transgenic lettuce were 2.8 cm and 2.5 g plant-1, while control plants were only 0.2 cm and 0.3 g plant -1, respectively. The increased tolerance was also reflected by delayed wilting of leaves caused by water-deficit stress. These results suggest that growth characteristics were improved in transgenic lettuce plants constitutively expressing the rape LEA gene in response to salt- and water-deficit stress.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)165-171
Number of pages7
JournalPlant Growth Regulation
Volume45
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005 Feb

Keywords

  • Agrobacterium-mediated transformation
  • LEA (late embryogenesis abundant)
  • Lettuce
  • Salt-tolerance
  • Water-deficit tolerance

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Increased tolerance to salt- and water-deficit stress in transgenic lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) by constitutive expression of LEA'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this