pat Gene

Mediates a tolerance to the herbicide phosphinotricin (glufosinate).

A number of soil bacteria naturally posess the pat gene. It enables them to degrade phosphinotricin (glufosinate) in the soil.

In 1988, the pat gene was successfully isolated from bacteria and transferred to plants by means of genetic engineering. Transgenic plants expressing the pat gene are able to degrade the herbicide agent phospinotricin (glufosinate). 

Scientific name of the pat gene: phosphinotricin acetyltransferase gene