[{
  "type": "article-journal",
  "title": "DEVELOPMENT OF STEM RUST RESISTANT TRANSGENIC WHEAT PLANTS THROUGH THE UTILIZATION OF THE PR2 GENE",
  "author": [
    {
      "family": "Ali",
      "given": ""
    },
    {
      "family": "Bukhari",
      "given": ""
    },
    {
      "family": "Sadia",
      "given": ""
    },
    {
      "family": "Mahmood-ur-Rahman",
      "given": ""
    }
  ],
  "issued": {
    "date-parts": [[2026]]
  },
  "container-title": "Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences",
  "ISSN": "1018-7081",
  "volume": "36",
  "issue": "5",
  "DOI": "https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2026.5.0109",
  "abstract": "<p style=\"margin-top: 12pt; line-height: normal; background: white; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;\">Wheat (<em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Triticum aestivum </em>L.) productivity is severely constrained by biotic stresses, among which stem rust remains a major threat to global food security. In this study, we developed wheat line overexpressing the pathogenesis-related gene 2 (<em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">PR2</em>) gene to build innate antifungal defenses. The <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">PR </em>gene<em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"> </em>coding sequence was cloned into the pCB-<em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">PR2</em>-P2A-GUS expression vector and introduced into embryogenic calli of the TD-1 cultivar via biolistic transformation. Regenerated plantlets were subjected to rigorous molecular analysis, including PCR and RT qPCR, confirming stable genomic integration and ~35-fold upregulation of <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">PR2 </em>gene<em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"> </em>transcripts relative to non-transgenic controls. Histochemical &beta;-glucuronidase (GUS) assays revealed spatial and temporal expression patterns across callus and developing seeds, indicating robust promoter-driven activity. Functional evaluation under natural pathogen exposure demonstrated marked reduced stem rust pustule formation in transgenic lines, validating the antifungal efficacy of &beta;-1,3-glucanase in plants. <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">In silico</em> allergenicity analysis showed minimal similarity to known wheat allergens, supporting the biosafety of the transgene. These results established a comprehensive framework for <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">PR2</em> gene-mediated disease resistance, integrating molecular validation with phenotypic assessment. Future field trials will elucidate the durability of stem rust resistance and yield stability, providing strategic insights for wheat breeding programs.</span></p>",
  "publisher": "Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum",
  "URL": "https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2026-JAPS-109"
}]