Transfer of E-coli gutD gene into maize and regeneration of salt-tolerant transgenic plants

GutD gene, encoding a key enzyme (glucitol-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) of su gar alcohol metabolic pathway in E. coli, was transferred into maize. Resul ts of Southern and Western blotting analysis certified that this gene had i ntegrated and been expressed in transgenic maize plants and their progeny. The synthesis and accumulation of sorbitol were detected in transgenic maiz e plants and a preliminary nutrient solution culture experiment showed that gutD transgenic maize plants had an increased tolerance to salt stress com pared with nontransgenic ones.