Moonshadow™ carnation

Carnation Moonshadow 1363A has a modified flower colour, a shade of light mauve, whereas the non-GM parent has cream-white flowers. The colour has been achieved by introducing into white carnation two genes of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway from Petunia and Viola sp. These genes, encoding dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (dfr) and flavonoid 3'5' hydroxylase (f3'5'h), together with other genes of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway already present in the non GM carnation, give rise to the anthocyanins delphinidin and cyanidin.

Note: No longer available, was sold for about 10 years, has been replaced by superior varieties

NOTE: This LMO was formerly referred to with the UID FLO-11363-1.

Cultivar: White Unesco

pCGP1991

Southern blot analysis indicated that there are 4 to 6 copies of the insert present in FLO-11363-1. Three integration sites were sequenced, each of which consist of both complete and partial T-DNA sequences. Locus 1 consists of three parts of the T-DNA of which two parts are in a sense orientation and one in anti-sense orientation. Locus 2 consists of a partial T-DNA in the anti-sense orientation and one complete T-DNA in the sense orientation. Locus 3 consists of two complete T-DNA in the sense orientation and a partial T-DNA in the anti-sense orientation. 

Southern blot analysis also indicated the absence of vector backbone sequences.

Three genes have been transferred into FLO-4Ø689-6, these are:

• The petunia DFR gene, coding for dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), derived from Petunia X hybrida. The petunia DFR enzyme is only capable of using dihydroquercetin and dihydromyricetin as substrate, not dihydrokaempferol. This ensures that most or all of the anthocyanidin produced is delphinidin. A constitutive promoter drives the petunia DFR-A cDNA derived gene;

• the pansy F3'5'H gene, coding for flavonoid 3' 5' hydroxylase (F3'5'H), derived from Viola sp. F3'5'H acts by converting the dihydroflavonols dihydrokaempferol and/or dihydroquercetin into the dihydroflavonol dihydromyricetin. The cDNA for F3'5'H encodes the enzyme F3'5'H allowing transgenic plants normally lacking this enzyme to produce violet or blue delphinidin derived pigments; and

• ALS gene (SuRB), coding for a mutant acetolactate synthase protein (ALS), derived from Nicotiana tabacum. Expression of the mutation confers resistance to sulfonylurea herbicides.