Open AccessEngineering cherry rootstocks with resistance to P runus necrotic ring spot virus through RNA i‐mediated silencing
Author(s) -
Song Guoqing,
Sink Kenneth C.,
Walworth Aaron E.,
Cook Meridith A.,
Allison Richard F.,
Lang Gregory A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
plant biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.525
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1467-7652
pISSN - 1467-7644
DOI - 10.1111/pbi.12060
Subject(s) - biology , prunus , rootstock , transgene , rna interference , virology , genetically modified crops , botany , horticulture , rna , gene , genetics
Summary Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) is a major pollen‐disseminated ilarvirus that adversely affects many Prunus species. In this study, an RNA interference (RNAi) vector pART 27–PNRSV containing an inverted repeat (IR) region of PNRSV was transformed into two hybrid (triploid) cherry rootstocks, ‘Gisela 6’ (GI 148‐1) and ‘Gisela 7’(GI 148‐8)’, which are tolerant and sensitive, respectively, to PNRSV infection. One year after inoculation with PNRSV plus Prune Dwarf Virus, nontransgenic ‘Gisela 6’ exhibited no symptoms but a significant PNRSV titre, while the transgenic ‘Gisela 6’ had no symptoms and minimal PNRSV titre. The nontransgenic ‘Gisela 7’ trees died, while the transgenic ‘Gisela 7’ trees survived. These results demonstrate the RNAi strategy is useful for developing viral resistance in fruit rootstocks, and such transgenic rootstocks may have potential to enhance production of standard, nongenetically modified fruit varieties while avoiding concerns about transgene flow and exogenous protein production that are inherent for transformed fruiting genotypes.