Nanoparticle-Mediated Genetic Transformation in a Selaginella Species

The genus <i>Selaginella</i> holds a key phylogenetic position as a sister species to vascular plants, encompassing desiccation-tolerant members. Some <i>Selaginella</i> species thrive in extremely arid conditions, enduring significant water loss and recovering upon rehydration. Consequently, <i>Selaginella</i> has emerged as a model system for studying desiccation tolerance in plant science. However, the absence of an efficient genetic transformation system has limited the utility of <i>Selaginella</i> species as a model. To address this constraint, we developed a nanoparticle-mediated transformation tool utilizing arginine-functionalized nanohydroxyapatites. This biocompatible system enabled the transient expression of the <i>GFP</i>, <i>GUS</i>, and <i>eYGFPuv</i> reporter genes in <i>Selaginella moellendorffii</i>. Establishing a stable genetic transformation technique for <i>S. moellendorffii</i> holds promise for application to other <i>Selaginella</i> species. This tool could be instrumental in identifying genetic resources for crop improvement and understanding genome-level regulatory mechanisms governing desiccation tolerance in <i>Selaginella</i> species. Furthermore, this tool might aid in identifying key regulatory genes associated with desiccation tolerance, offering potential applications in enhancing drought-sensitive crops and ensuring sustainable food production.