Expression of a multigene mushroom luciferin biosynthesis pathway as a pseudo-polycistron in plants
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Researchers attempted to create glowing tomato plants by introducing genes from bioluminescent mushrooms that produce their own light substrate. While the genes worked when temporarily expressed in tobacco plants, stable transgenic tomatoes could not maintain luciferin production. The main challenge was that the light-producing molecule breaks down too quickly in plant tissue, making it difficult to maintain the glow effect.