INSECT-RESISTANT TRANSGENIC BRINJAL PLANTS

A synthetic cry1Ab gene coding for an insecticidal crystal protein (IC P) of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) was transferred to brinjal (eggplant ) by cocultivating cotyledonary explants with Agrobacterium tumefacien s. Transformant plants resistant to kanamycin were regenerated. Hybrid ization experiments demonstrated gene integration and mRNA expression. Double-antibody sandwich ELISA analysis revealed Bt toxin protein exp ression in the transgenic plants. The expression resulted in a signifi cant insecticidal activity of transgenic brinjal fruits against the la rvae of fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis). The results also demonstra ted that a synthetic gene based on monocot codon usage can be expresse d in dicotyledonous plants for insect control.