Transposon Mutagenesis for Cotton Functional Genomics

In order to implement reverse genetic strategies in cotton, a transposon mutagenesis strategy based on the Dslox system has been employed. In addition, we combine the advantages of transposon-tagging using maize Ac/Ds elements for producing insertion mutants, and Crelox site-specific recombination for inducing gross chromosomal rearrangements. The Dslox mutagenesis strategy gives us an unprecedented opportunity to unveil gene functions important to agronomic traits. Approximately 150 Dslox transgenic cotton (G. hirsutum L.cv. Coker 312) lines and 5 Ac lines have been produced. Those Ds and Ac lines are characterized at the molecular level to permit sorting into single full insertion lines.