Boosting transformation in wheat by BBM-WUS

Abstract

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is a cost-effective and convenient way to introduce foreign genetic elements to plants. However, only limited protocols successfully generates transgenic plants with fielder, a spring wheat variety. Wheat transformation method with higher efficiency and without genotype restriction is heavily demanded. Here, a heat-shock protocol, independent of Japan Tobacco had been established. Transgenic plants can be obtained from immature embryo within only 60 days by this protocol. Morphogenic regulators Baby boom and Wuschel (BBM-WUS) was proved to promote transformation efficiency for five to six times in wheat when co-infiltrated with agrobacterium containing target construct. Notably, half of the transformants are BBM-WUS free and moreover, the BBM-WUS containing plants could be picked by florescent marker that was co-expressed with BBM-WUS. In conclusion, we managed to establish a new wheat transformation protocol with shorter duration than published protocol.