Cytochrome P450 Gene of Transgenic Rice Plant Shows Herbicide Resistance

News source: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Japan, 2002-07-01

Pig Genes Introduced into Rice Plant

Three kinds of pig cytochrome P450 genes were introduced into the rice plant "Nihonbare", and transformants were produced.

The transformant into which was introduced pig cytochrome P450-2C49(CYP2C49) budded in a germination test in a culture medium containing herbicides of various types, and showed normal growth. The rice plant transformed with pig CYP2C49 showed resistance to herbicides.

Mammalian Cytochrome Helps Metabolize Drugs

It is known that one type of mammalian cytochrome, P450 monooxygenase (VYP), is involved in drug metabolism and is present in the liver. It is known to metabolize various drugs. P450 enzyme of these animals has high metabolic activity. It seems that it is possible to make a rapid improvement in the drug metabolising ability of a plant by introducing this gene into the plant.

Transgenic Rice Resistant to Chemical Residues

It is possible that plants thus transformed can reduce the level of agricultural chemical residues. Crops with this gene can be expected to be of use in reducing levels of chemical residues.

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