Open AccessRecombinant aryl hydrocarbon receptors for bioassay of aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands in transgenic tobacco plants
Author(s) -
Kodama Susumu,
Okada Kumiko,
Akimoto Keiko,
Inui Hideyuki,
Ohkawa Hideo
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
plant biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.525
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1467-7652
pISSN - 1467-7644
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-7652.2008.00378.x
Subject(s) - aryl hydrocarbon receptor , biology , bioassay , transgene , recombinant dna , aryl , hydrocarbon , receptor , genetically modified crops , function (biology) , botany , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , genetics , chemistry , organic chemistry , transcription factor , alkyl
Summary Dioxin residues widely contaminate soil and agricultural products at low concentrations and may accumulate in organisms at the top of food chains owing to their physicochemical properties. In this study, we have developed novel, dioxin‐inducible, reporter gene expression systems regulated by recombinant aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhRs). The recombinant AhRs, referred to as XDVs, consist of the DNA‐binding domain of the bacterial repressor protein LexA, a 90‐kDa heat shock protein‐ and ligand‐binding regulatory domain from mouse AhR, and the transactivation domain of herpes simplex virus regulatory protein VP16. Transgenic tobacco plants carrying XDVs absorb various AhR ligands, including 3‐methylcholanthrene, β‐naphthoflavone and indigo from solid medium and vermiculite, and show dose‐ and time‐dependent expression of the β‐glucuronidase reporter gene. The results clearly suggest that XDVs are functional transcription factors that respond to AhR ligands, and that the XDV‐mediated reporter gene expression system is applicable to bioassays for dioxin residues in the environment.