Glyphosate resistance in transgenic Tobacco plants by expression of a modified EPSPS gene from chickpea

Weeds are amongst the major constraints on crop production, which compete with crop plants for sunlight, water, nutrients, and space. Crops’ growth, development and yield are significantly affected by weeds. Glyphosate is one of the most important herbicides which is widely used around the world. Glyphosate inhibits the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) enzyme, which is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis pathway of aromatic amino acids. The goal of this study was transfer genes of plant origin in order to induce herbicide resistance in plants. The EPSPS gene from chickpea was cloned and two amino acid (Pro187Ala Thr183Ile) at key sites were substituted to make a glyphosate resistant enzyme. The expression of the EPSPS gene was investigated in the tobacco plant. The regeneration of EPSPS overexpressed leaves were examined in different concentrations of glyphosate (from 0 to 1 mM), the leaves regenerated in all glyphosate concentrations even at 1 mM. Moreover, the transgenic plants were sprayed with 1% glyphosate and they were survived and showed high level of tolerance. In conclusion, the edited EPSPS gene from chickpea is recommended as a suitable candidate gene for development of commercial transgenic crops.