Reversible expression system for transgene expression in plants

Abstract

The present invention relates to the development of expression cassettes to achieve tapetum specific reversible expression of transgene in female heterotic parent and in F1 progeny in the plants. The expression cassettes are based on the transcription regulation and light signaling. It includes two vector construct; female expression construct and male regulatory construct. The female expression construct was used to achieve tapetum specific expression of reporter gene while when cross is made with male plants having regulatory cassette, F1 plants were formed with abolished expression of reporter gene. Further, the system was deployed to achieve complete male sterility using candidate gene of male sterility; BECLIN1/ATG6 and successfully restoring the fertility of F1 by crossing with pollen of male regulatory transgenic. Here, we claim the expression system using which reversible male sterility can be achieved by expressing candidate gene for male sterility like BECLIN1 or other.