F. Goto et al., Iron accumulation and enhanced growth in transgenic lettuce plants expressing the iron- binding protein ferritin, THEOR A GEN, 100(5), 2000, pp. 658-664
We have produced transgenic lettuce plants accumulating the iron storage pr
otein ferritin. The integration of the ferritin gene and expression levels
in leaves were examined by Southern- and Western-blot analysis, respectivel
y. It was shown that transgenic lettuce plants contained iron levels rangin
g from 1.2 to 1.7 times that of the control plants, however, the manganese
content in transgenic lettuce plants was similar to that in the control. En
hanced growth of transgenic lettuces was observed at the early developmenta
l stages, resulting in weights 27-42% greater than those of control plants.
Transgenic lettuce had photosynthesis rates superior to those of the contr
ols, and F-e vv larger and faster compared with the controls during the per
iod of 3 months from germination. These results demonstrate the possibility
of producing lettuce plants with high yield, high iron content and rapid g
rowth rate.