• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.103-108
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• 2003

LinA gene involving in the ${\gamma}$-benzenehexachloride degradation have been cloned from Sphingmonas paucimobilis UT26. This linA gene which catalyzes the first dechlorination step of ${\gamma}$-benzenehexachloride is known to play a key role in the ${\gamma}$-benzenehexachloride degradation pathway in UT26. In this study, the linA gene was designed to clean-up the ${\gamma}$-benzenehexachloride and its derivatives contaminated in soil, water and air using transgenic tobacco plants. The linA transgene was introduced into the chromosome of tobacco using leaf-disk transformation approach as revealed by Southern blot analysis. In addition, mRNA and protein produced by linA gene was expressed at a high level in the leaf tissue as demonstrated by both northern blot analysis and Western bolt analysis with polyclonal antibody against S. paucimobilis UT26. in vitro analysis using GC-MS showed that transgenic tobacco plant produced the linA protein which effectively degraded ${\gamma}$-benzenehexachloride into ${\gamma}$- pentachlorocyclohexene and 1,2,4-trichlobenzene compounds which are less toxic.