Phenotypic Evaluation of Grapevines Expressing a Transcription Factor for Modified Anthocyanin Biosynthesis

Undergraduate #57
Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Cell and Molecular Biology
Session: 1
Room: Exhibit Hall A

Gabrielle Johnson - University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Co-Author(s): Behnam Khatabi, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne,MD; Sadanand Dhekney University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD.

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A Vitis vinifera (grapevine) transcription factor VvMybA1 catalyzes the final step in anthocyanin biosynthesis through activation of a key enzyme. The VvMybA1 also shows promise as a marker gene for precision breeding of grapevine. Overexpression of the VvMybA1 transcription factors in grape cell cultures results in stable anthocyanin formation and accumulation of red pigmentation in cells. In the current study, phenotypic evaluation of modified grapevines expressing the VvMybA1 gene were was carried out by comparing growth patterns with control grapevines. Embryogenic cell cultures of grapevine cultivars Thompson Seedless were transformed with the VvMybA1 gene. Following selection on callus induction medium, transformed cell cultures were transferred to development medium for the production of somatic embryos showing stable expression. Somatic embryos were then germinated on plant germination medium containing the growth regulator benzyl amino purine (BAP). We are currently evaluating the growth rate of modified germinated embryos by comparing them with non-transformed embryos. Plants expressing the VvMybA1 transcription factor will be acclimated and transferred to a growth chamber to compare their growth pattern with non-transformed control vines. Additional studies will also be conducted to assess the potential of modified grapevines for the production and extraction of antioxidants that could be potentially used to develop grape-derived dietary supplements.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): LSAMP (Luis Stokes Minority Alliance program and School of Agriculture and natural sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Dhekney, sdhekney@umes.edu

Role: I was involved in the the proliferation of cell cultures expressing the VvMybA1 gene, germination of embryos expressing the transcription factor and comparing phenotypes of modified vines with non-transformed control plants.