The application of the fused HPS/PHI from Mycobacterium gastri MB19 for generation of functional ornamental plants

Abstract

To investigate the feasibility for using the key enzymes of formaldehyde (HCHO) fixation from methylotrophs to generate the functional ornamentals which have enhanced HCHO detoxification capacity, we introduced the fused HPS/PHI gene from Mycobacterium gastri MB19 into ornamentals, petunia and pelargonium. Western blot analyses showed that the fused HPS/PHI was successfully expressed in the two ornamental plants. The two transgenic plants displayed better resistance to HCHO than the wild-type plants when they were grown on MS medium with HCHO or exposure to gaseous HCHO. Our measurements indicated that the HCHO assimilation ability of the transgenic lines was increased 30-40% than the wild-type plants. The transgenic ornamental plants also showed a 15-40% increase in their efficiency to take up exogenous HCHO as compared with wild-type. The results suggest that the fused HPS/PHI can be applied to ornamentals to produce functional plants for phytoremediation of HCHO pollution.