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The Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase Gene As A Conditional Negative-Selection Marker Gene In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Mihály Czakó, László Márton
The Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase Gene As A Conditional Negative-Selection Marker Gene In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Mihály Czakó, László Márton
Faculty Publications
The human herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase type 1 gene (HSVtk) acts as a conditional lethal marker in mammalian cells. The HSVtk-encoded enzyme is able to phosphorylate certain nucleoside analogs (e.g. ganciclovir, an antiherpetic drug), thus converting them to toxic DNA replication inhibitors. The utility of HSVtk as a conditional negative-selection marker was explored in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. HSVtk was introduced into Arabidopsis by Agrobaderium-mediated transformation. Transgenic plants were morphologically indistinguishable from wild type and exhibited normal fertility. Canciclovir at lO-5to 10-4 M drastically reduced shoot regeneration on transgenic, HSVtk* root explants …