Modification of
regulatory elements of marker genes
The
concern about antibiotic resistance marker genes is predominantly about their
transfer and expression in bacterial cells and a technology which would prevent
such expression might have to be considered. Already the genes used for
selection in plants are controlled by plant promoter sequences which render
them unlikely to be sufficiently expressed in bacteria. The introduction of an
intron sequence in the marker gene would restrict its expression to plant cells
and definitively prevent any expression in bacteria. Introns are sequences of
DNA that naturally interrupt the coding sequences of animal and plant cells.
These are equipped with mechanisms allowing their removal during the
transcription process while bacteria are not equipped to do this and therefore
would be unable to read a gene containing introns.
Antibiotic
resistance marker genes such as the NPTII
gene which provides resistance towards kanamycin are very well researched in
all the relevant aspects such as their functioning, biochemical properties and
prevalence in the bacterial community. Their safety has been well examined and
assessed. Under these conditions it is likely that achieving the same level of
confidence as has been established for NPTII
with another selection system may be long and difficult. Any remaining concerns
attached to such genes could be removed by the addition of an intron.
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