XVI International Botanical Congess

Chalcone synthase(chsA) is regulated transcriptionally and post transcriptionally in leaves and petals, with transcription rates being much higher in epidermal petal cells and RNA turnover lower. Certain chsA transgene constructs can interfere with the RNA turnover to produce plants with very different RNA levels. These analyses have led to models to explain how post-transcriptional RNA turnover is regulated and how transgenes can disturb the control systems. The findings have implications for how certain transgenes should be designed and deployed in agriculture. These will be discussed.