2005 journal article

The rb7 matrix attachment region increases the likelihood and magnitude of transgene expression in tobacco cells: A flow cytometric study

PLANT CELL, 17(2), 418–429.

By: C. Halweg n , W. Thompson n  & S. Spiker n

MeSH headings : Agrobacterium tumefaciens / genetics; DNA, Bacterial / genetics; Flow Cytometry / methods; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics; Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism; Matrix Attachment Regions; Plants, Genetically Modified; Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics; Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics; Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism; Tobacco / cytology; Tobacco / genetics; Transformation, Genetic; Transgenes / genetics
TL;DR: Flow cytometry is used to measure green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in individual tobacco cells from lines transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens to conclude that MAR-mediated overall increases in transgene expression involve both likelihood and magnitude. (via Semantic Scholar)
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3. Good Health and Well-being (Web of Science; OpenAlex)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 6, 2018

Many studies in both plant and animal systems have shown that matrix attachment regions (MARs) can increase expression of transgenes in whole organisms or cells in culture. Because histochemical assays often indicate variegated transgene expression, a question arises: Do MARs increase transgene expression by increasing the percentage of cells expressing the transgene (likelihood), by increasing the level of expression in expressing cells (magnitude), or both? To address this question, we used flow cytometry to measure green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in individual tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cells from lines transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. We conclude that MAR-mediated overall increases in transgene expression involve both likelihood and magnitude. On average, cell lines transformed with the Rb7 MAR-containing vector expressed GFP at levels 2.0- to 3.7-fold higher than controls. MAR lines had fewer nonexpressing cells than control lines (10% versus 45%), and the magnitude of GFP expression in expressing cells was greater in MAR lines by 1.9- to 2.9-fold. We also show that flow cytometry measurements on cells from isogenic lines are consistent with those from populations of independently transformed cell lines. By obviating the need to establish isogenic lines, this use of flow cytometry could greatly simplify the evaluation of MARs or other sequence elements that affect transgene expression.