Identification of Excision of Ac Transposable Element in P.nigra x maximowiczii Using Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation

The Ac (activator) which is one of the well-characterized transposable elements from maize was examined for its transposition possibility to the heterologous plant (P.nigra x maximowiczii) genome via Agrobacterium tumefacience (LBA4404) mediated transformation system. A number of transgenic plants were successfully recovered after 30 weeks by amount reduction from 50 to 15 g/$m\ell$ kanamycin for in vitro selection to minimize phytotoxic effects and to increase callus growth and regeneration efficiency. Among transgenic plants, 62 out of 106 transgenic poplars (58.5%) showed abnormal phenotypes such as severe serrated leaves and light leaf coloration. Indigo staining with X-gluc proved indirectly the restoration of Gus enzyme function and the presence of Ac in poplar genome by PCR. Southern analysis indicated the transposition and existence of Ac element in poplar genomes. In this research, an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system in poplar species was developed and identified that Ac derived from maize can be excised and trans posed into other poplar genomes.