Observation of GFP Expression in Pomegranate (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Punica granatum&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) Via Pollen-Mediated Transformation

L Y Yang

doi:10.11648/j.plant.20160404.11

Abstract

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an important fruit crop in the world. Genetic transformation studies of pomegranate have been hindered due to lacking efficient plant regeneration system. At the present study, we explored pollen-mediated transformation for pomegranate where the plasmid DNA harboring GFP was introduced into pollen grains with the aid of sonication. Various sonic parameters showed different effects on pollen grains where the order of effect is ultrasonic intensity > processing duration > treatment times. The observation of GFP in pollen tubes provided the base for potential application of pollen-mediated transformation in pomegranate, which could avoid the tedious tissue culture procedures and easy to apply. And most of all we have provided a novel and efficient approach for pomegranate genetic transformation.

Highlights

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is considered native to Iran [1] and is an economically important fruit tree of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world
Pomegranate pollen grains have 3 pores, so it is possible for plasmid DNA to be transferred into the pollen through pores with the aid of sonication
Pollen grain is an ideal target for transformation, since they are produced in large numbers, which can be collected from anthers and transgenic genes can be introduced directly in the form of naked DNA or through mediation of Agrobacterium [28]

Summary

Introduction

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is considered native to Iran [1] and is an economically important fruit tree of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is valued for its pharmaceutical properties and ornamental usage [2], and is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C and a good resource of calcium, phosphorus, iron and pectin. Genetic improvement of pomegranate by conventional breeding is a difficult and time consuming process due to long juvenile period, self incompatibility and heterozygous nature [9]. There is few efficient way to reduce the fruit borer attack in pomegranate. The most common approaches are Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and particle bombardment where tissue culture processes are required

Methods

Results

Conclusion