METHOD OF PREDICTING AND/OR MODIFYING CONVERSION POTENTIAL OF EMBRYOGENIC TISSUES OF PLANTS

摘要

The predictability of conversion of an embryogenic tissue to somatic embryos can be predicted by means of a genetic marker. The genetic marker may be the level of expression of any gene that varies in amount in a way that correlates to the observed actual conversion rate to embryos. By measuring the level of expression of such a marker gene in embryogenic tissue, a prediction can be made about the potential of that tissue to convert to embryos. A particular gene that can be used in this way is a gene that has been identified as a glycine-rich protein that includes a marker sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1. The level of expression of this gene can be measured by quantitative real-time PCR or alternative method, e.g. an immunological method.