A great deal has been discussed about “terminator” genes that
limit seed production in patented transgenic crops. Most of that discussion
has focused on the USDA -Delta and Pineland patent of more current
exploratory systems such as the five developed by Syngenta and some experimental
systems (1,2,3,4) . The discussion, of which I am aware, has not included
the terminator system developed in France by Groupe Limagrain a collection
of biotechnology research and development companies with the exception of
a report from genewatch(5). The terminator system developed and field tested
in France consists of a human gene destroying the seeds carbohydrate reserve
or a dog gene eliminating lipid seed reserve. The cogent features of the
patent are first the dog lipse gene or human amylase gene set to digest
seed storage lipid or carbohydrate, one or the other of these genes are
used and are regulated by promoter gene ,pCRU, from radish cruciferase (a
seed storage protein active in early seed germination). The pCRU promter
limits the activity of the stored energy destroying enzyme to early seed
germination. Along with the promoter cell compartment localization peptide
( the short peptide signal from sweet potato sporamin A gene, localizing
the enzyme to a vacuole address)and a trascription termination signal for
the gene message. The system has been tested in maize, oil rapeseed (canola)
and tobacco in France(5.6). The system causes the energy reserves in the
seeds to be destroyed when the seed lands on the soil. The harvested seed
is treated to prevent the energy reserve system from acting. Patent WO09952344
describes the terminator system but appears to leave the system for inactivating
the enzymes that eliminate the energy reserves in the harvested seed out
of the patent document(7). A recent patent filed by members of the Limagrain
group focused on production of dog and human gastric lipase for use in medical
treatment and use of the lipase enzyme in food processing but did not deal
with the terminator application (8).
As I understand the system ,pollen that escapes from the fields of GM corn
or GM oil rapeseed is capable of pollinating neighboring fields of maize
or oilseed rape but the pollinated crops will produce seed that withers.
I have wondered why the Limagrain terminator and its field tests have not
been discussed extensively among European Union (EU) countries. Producing
food containing genes from dog or human seems like a topic worthy of debate
Pollen that attacks and destroy neighbors crops may only means that “survival
of the patented “ is the law of the biotechnology jungle?
Limagrain has also produced plant based recombinant dog gastric lipase
targeted for vacuole or excretion (dog gastric lipase is an alternative
terminator gene when targeted to seed endosperm) for treatment of pancreatic
insufficiency(9,10). Pancreatic insufficiency is associated with alcoholic
pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis(11).
France appears to be unique among EU countries in testing a large number
plant based biopharmaceutical transgenic crops along with the novel terminator
concept. The extensive field testing of transgenic biopharmaceutical crops
does not appear to have been acknowledged by the public.
References are available on request , please state the name of the paper
