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The main objective of this research is to design a gene expression system that will direct the synthesis of antifungal proteins in a tissue-specific and developmentally regulated manner for the purpose of reducing or eliminating fungal growth into the maize kernels and thereby reducing or eliminating the contamination of the kernels with pathogen-produced mycotoxins.
The approach for reducing or eliminating mycotoxins in maize kernels is to make the seeds more resistant to the fungal organisms that produce these toxins. As the kernel pedicel (the basal maternal tissues which attach the kernel to the cob) appears to be both a port of entry for agronomically important, mycotoxin-producing fungal pathogens as well as serving as a survival structure for these same fungi in non-symptomatic kernels, an approach which targets antifungal agents to this region appears to be a viable strategy for increasing fungal disease resistance in maize kernels. Previous research related to nitrogen assimilation during maize grain fill has revealed the presence of a unique glutamine synthetase isozyme, designated Gsp1, that is specifically expressed within the maize kernel pedicel. The regulatory (promoter) portions of the corresponding GSp1 gene will serve to specifically express antifungal proteins or other defense related genes within the pedicel of the developing maize kernel.
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FUNDED BY BRDC. Peoria, IL, NCAUR, Rms 3106/10/12/16,BL-1, IBC Recertified 5/20/99.