Production of marker-free transgenic rice [Oryza sativa L.] with improved nutritive quality expressing AmA1

ABSTRACT

Background: Rice seed proteins are lacking essential amino acids [EAAs]. Genetic engineering offers a fast and sustainable method to solve this problem as it allows the specific expression of heterologous EAA-rich proteins. The use of selectable marker gene is essential for generation of transgenic crops, but might also lead to potential environmental and food safety problems. Therefore, the production of marker-free transgenic crops is becoming an extremely attractive alternative and could contribute to the public acceptance of transgenic crops