Abstract

JIMENEZ-BARRETO, Jenny; CHAPARRO-GIRALDO, Alejandro; MORA-OBERLAENDER, Julián  and  VARGAS-SANCHEZ, José Ever. Molecular characterization and Freedom to Operate analysis of maize hybrids from genetically modified and Colombian varieties. Agron. colomb. [online]. 2016, vol.34, n.3, pp.309-316. ISSN 0120-9965.  https://doi.org/10.15446/agron.colomb.v34n3.60350.

Spodoptera frugiperda is one of the most common pests in maize crops, causing important losses in Colombia. The develop ment of insect resistant crops is an alternative to conventional pest control methods. HERCULEX® I is a transgenic maize line with resistance to lepidopteran insects and tolerance to phosphinothricin herbicides, conferred by genes crylF and pat, respectively. In Colombia, the National Federation of Cereal and Legume Growers (FENALCE) has carried out mendelian crosses between Colombian maize genotypes and HERCU-LEX® I, with the aim of integrating the genetic elements of the transgenic line into national varieties. Three hybrids were obtained which potentially carry such constructs. In the present study, the hybrid lines and their parental lines were character ized at the molecular level. Leaf tissue was tested for presence or absence of the genes crylF and pat and their expression as mRNA and respective proteins CrylF and Pat. Results show that the three hybrids indeed carry the HERCULEX® I con structs. RT-PCR and ELISA analysis showed transcription of the genes and presence of the proteins. An initial approach to the Freedom to Operate analysis was carried out for HERCU-LEX® I in Colombia.

Keywords : crop improvement; PCR; pest resistance..

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