The modified cry1Ab gene1 has been derived from a gene (Genbank accession No. X04698 - first cloned and characterised by Höfte et al (1986)) which, under the latest nomenclature system, is now known as cry1Ab5 (Bacillus thuringiensis toxin nomenclature,database available online at http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/toxins2.html).

Sequencing of the 9056 bp inserted transgenic construct and Southern blot analysis revealed an almost full copy of the T-DNA construct (with an incomplete 3`me1 terminator) was inserted into the T304-40 LM cotton line in addition to:

• a partial 3’me1 terminator;
• a partial copy of the cry1Ab gene cassette, with a trunckated Ps7s7 promoter, in a tail-to-tail orientation, and
• a partial copy of the bar gene cassette in which the nos terminator is truncated.

As a result of the transformation event, four new junctions have been created (see Figure 4 in the attached file below), two being located at the 5’ and 3’ ends of the insert and two being located within the insert as a result of the rearrangement. Southern blot analysis revealed no vector backbone sequences in cotton line T304-40.

For further description of the T304-40 LM cotton, see the safety assessment document attached below.