Utility of I-SceI and CCR5-ZFN nucleases in excising selectable marker genes from transgenic plants.

Objectives: Removal of selection marker genes from transgenic plants is highly desirable for their regulatory approval and public acceptance. This study evaluated the use of two nucleases, the yeast homing endonuclease, I-SceI, and the designed zinc finger nuclease, CCR5-ZFN, in excising marker genes from plants using rice and Arabidopsis as the models.

Results: In an in vitro culture assay, both nucleases were effective in precisely excising the DNA fragments marked by the nuclease target sites.