Alternation of the Accumulation of Alternative Oxidase by Introducing Sense and Antisense OsAOX1a in Rice

Abstract

Sense and antisense DNA constructs of rice (Oryza sativa L.) alternative oxidase (AOX) gene, OsAOX1a, under the control of maize Ubiquitin promoter were introduced into rice. Leaves of transgenic plants with sense OsAOX1a were shown to produce high levels of AOX protein, which was not usually observed in wild-type leaves. Transgenic plants with decreased levels of AOX protein were identified by the investigation of AOX protein in calli derived from mature seeds with antisense OsAOX1a. Transgenic plants with increased and decreased levels of AOX will be useful for studies on the role of AOX.