Development of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) transgenic plants overexpressing ferriitn for oxidative stress tolerance

Abstract

Transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv FCV) special plants expressing a ferritin gene (pFer/Rok2 and pFlagfer/Rok2) from alfalfa were obtained through Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation. Primary transformants over expressing the ferritin pFer/Rok2 gene products localized into chloroplast and pFlagFer/Rok2 gene product localized into cytoplasm were confirmed by PCR and Southern analysis. Transgenic plants were evaluated by exposing the leaf discs to high light intensity to induce oxidative stress and then the membrane damage is measured by electrical conductivity test. Ferritin transgenic plants showed less damage as compared to control plants which signifies the relevance of ferritin in protecting the plant under oxidative stress.