Abstract
Duckweed (Lemna aequinoctialis) is one of the smallest flowering plants in the world. Due to its high reproduction rate and biomass, duckweeds are used as biofactors and feedstuff additives for livestock. It is also an ideal system for basic biological research and various practical applications. In this study, we attempt to establish a micropropagation technique and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in L. aequinoctialis. The plant-growth regulator type and concentration and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation were evaluated for their effects on duckweed callus induction, proliferation, regeneration, and gene transformation efficiency. Calli were successfully induced from 100% of explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 25.0 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2.0 μM thidiazuron (TDZ). MS medium containing 4.5 μM 2,4-D and 2.0 μM TDZ supported the long-lasting growth of calli. Fronds regenerated from 100% of calli on Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) medium containing 1.0 μM 6-benzyladenine (6-BA). We also determined that 200 μM acetosyringone in the cocultivation medium for 1 day in the dark was crucial for transformation efficiency (up to 3 ± 1%). Additionally, we propose that both techniques will facilitate efficient high-throughput genetic manipulation in Lemnaceae.
Highlights
The genus Lemna is a member of the Lemnaceae or duckweed family
The most successful callus induction was observed on callus-induction medium (CIM) with 25.0 μM 2,4-D combined with TDZ (0.5 or 2.0 μM) or 6-BA (2.0 μM), where 100% of explants produced calli
Our results showed that a 100% callus induction rate was observed under CIM with 25.0 μM 2,4-D and 2 μM TDZ, the best callus proliferation was observed under Nodular callus-proliferation medium (NCPM) with 4.5 μM 2,4-D and 2.0 μM TDZ, and a 100% frond regeneration rate was observed under frond regeneration medium (FRM) with 1 μM 6-BA
Summary
The genus Lemna is a member of the Lemnaceae or duckweed family. Several studies have shown that duckweed has a high starch accumulation rate, low lignin content, and pollution-absorbing ability. It can be used as a reliable material for bioethanol fermentation [7,8,9,10] and could be widely used as an ideal aquatic plant for phytoremediation [11]. Duckweed is an ideal plant-based system for producing recombinant proteins due to its high protein content. Biolex Therapeutics produced Locteron®, a recombinant IFN-α2b synthesized by a duckweed-based expression system that uses Lemna minor, for the large-scale production of recombinant pharmaceuticals and interferons [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
