Abstract
The gene encoding the taste-modifying protein miraculin was introduced under the control of the 35S or El2 promoter into strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to produce transgenic plants. Although miraculin was detected in the leaves and fruits of the transgenic plants, the level of accumulation among the transgenic lines, which ranged from 0.5 to 2.0 μg g−1 fresh fruit, was not significantly different and was lower than that in miracle fruits (145 μg g−1 fresh fruit). High levels of miraculin accumulation were detected in the mature fruits. The transgenic lines were subsequently propagated via the runners for three vegetative generations, and miraculin was detected at equal levels in the leaves and fruits of the plants from each generation. In conclusion, although the level of accumulation was not high, miraculin was stably expressed and accumulated in the vegetative progeny of the transgenic strawberry plants.
