Ac/Ds-mediated gene trap systems for functional genomics in rice

We have established Ac/Ds-mediated gene trap systems in rice. The efficiency of these gene-tagging systems has been tested by producing transgenic rice plants carrying a simple and single T-DNA insert. High Ds mobility and effective gene detection implied that an Ac/Ds family would be an excellent genetic tool for use in functional genomics in rice. To produce a large population of Ds transposants, single-copy Ds and Ac “starter” lines were produced. Each Ds starter line was examined for transposition efficiency by crossing it with an Ac line. A couple of Ds lines (called Super J) showed that more than 50% of the F₂ progenies demonstrated germinal transmission of transposed Ds elements.