GENETIC TRANSFORMATION OF TOBACCO PLANT USING INHIBITOR OF MERISTEM ACTIVITY (IMA) GENES

Abstract

Inhibitor of Meristem activity (IMA) gene encoded a Mini Zinc Finger protein (MIF). IMA gene regulates
flowering and ovule development. It controls WUSCHEL gene in meristem center and determined nucellus
during the development of ovule. IMA gene is activated by the gene expression of type-D inhibited the
proliferation of cell during floral termination, controlled the amount of carpels during flower development, and
has a role in the primordial ovule initiation. IMA gene plays crucial roles during shoot apical meristem
organization which associated with cell division, differentiation, and growth hormone. IMA gene has been
successfully constructed into vector pGWB402 and introduced into Agrobacterium tumefaciens LB4404 through
electroporation means. IMA gene is transferred to Nicotiana tabacum by using cotyledons in vitro culture. The
transformed plant tissue is selected by addition of kanamycin in culture medium. The validation of transgene is
detected by PCR using CaMV 35 S forward primer and IMA gene reverse specific primer. Transgenic plants
show band size 500 bp indicating IMA gene has been integrated into the plant genome of N. tabacum.