UGA researchers developed a new method to enhance the traits of crops. The
introduced a human protein into Arabidopsis, and found that they could
selectively activate silenced
[www.isaaa.org] genes
already present in the plant. The results are published in Nature
Communications.



Lexiang Ji, William Jordan, and co-researchers explored a new method known
as epimutagenesis which makes it possible to breed diverse plants in a way
that is not achievable through conventional techniques. The idea started
with studying DNA methylation, which controls expressed traits. When DNA
methylation is removed, they found that they could selectively turn on
previously silenced genes. Thus, they planned to turn on the silenced genes
to generate trait variation.To remove DNA methylation and turn on the
silenced genes, they introduced a human enzyme (ten-eleven translocation
enzyme) to plant seedlings using modified bacteria as vector. This resulted
to widespread hypomethylation that can be inherited to subsequent
generations.

"If they don't have the genetic differences to respond, then it can really
wipe out crops," said Robert Schmitz, corresponding author of the study.
"This isn't a savior, but it's an alternative strategy that has not been
tried before. The idea is to access genes that people haven't been studying
because they're not expressed but they're there. We think this method to
reactivate these genes could lead to increased trait variation which could
be useful for biotechnology applications."

[www.nature.com]