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Plant Functional Genomics pp 329–344Cite as

Vector Construction for Gene Overexpression as a Tool to Elucidate Gene Function

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 236))

Abstract

Gene overexpression as a means to determine plant gene function has been used almost since the first plant transformation protocols became viable. The goal of these experiments, as in classical genetic experiments, is to observe any phenotypic change associated with changing the expression of a gene of interest—in this case overexpression. Any phenotypic changes are interpreted, and the native gene’s function is deduced based on the pathways or biochemistries that are altered in the transformants. Overexpression experiments may be particularly suitable in instances when genes are functionally redundant, when a plant species does not have good genetics, or when a knockout mutation is particularly deleterious. This chapter is intended as a general protocol for producing gene overexpression constructs, starting with genomic DNA, RNA, or an isolated clone, for use in plants that are transformable by Agrobacterium.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, The Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

    Alan Lloyd PhD

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  1. Alan Lloyd PhD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

    Erich Grotewold

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© 2003 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Lloyd, A. (2003). Vector Construction for Gene Overexpression as a Tool to Elucidate Gene Function. In: Grotewold, E. (eds) Plant Functional Genomics. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 236. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-413-1:329

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-413-1:329

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-145-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-413-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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