AGROBACTERIUM-MEDIATED ZmDEF1 GENE TRANSFORMATION INTO SIMACAI LOCAL MAIZE CULTIVAR

Abstract

Plant defensins are multifunctional proteins, they can be inhibitors translational, affecting the ion exchange function of the membrane, weaken the microorganisms, enhanced zinc stress resistance, changing the oxidation state of ascorbic acid and especially Inhibit α-amylase activity of insect gut. This paper presents results of Agrobacterium-medicated ZmDEF1 gene (defensin 1) transfomation  isolated from local corn with high resistance into Simacai local maize cultivar. The results of the three times the ZmDEF1 gene transformations to ninety young corn embryos received ffteen shoots, eight shoots have roots and five transgenic maize plants in the greenhouse. Tested the presence of the ZmDEF1 transgene in five transgenic plants using PCR, all five transgenic maize plants were positive. Transgenic performance is 5.56%. This result is the basis for further research to create transgenic maize plants that is resistant against maize weevils.