Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) genetic transformation with the hrpN gene (harpin) and evaluation for citrus canker (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri) resistance / Transformação genética de laranja doce (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) com o gene hrpN (harpina) e avaliação da resistência ao cancro cítrico (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri)

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2007

RESUMO

The citrus industry has a great economic and social importance for Brazil, which is considered largest producer and orange juice exporter in the world. However, serious problems related to pathogens have affected citrus production and quality. With the development of genetic engineering and the characterization of genes related with plant disease resistance, the genetic transformation became an important tool in citrus breeding programs. The objective of this work was the production of transgenic plants of four sweet orange cultivars ‘Hamlin’, ‘Valencia’, ‘Natal’ and ‘Pera’ expressing hrpN gene under the control of Pgst1 inducible promoter. The evaluation of ‘Hamlin’ sweet orange transgenic plants infected with the causal agent of citrus canker, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri was carry out. Epicotyl segments were inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and selected in a culture medium supplemented with kanamycin or gentamycin. The genetic transformation was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis. The gene transcription was evaluated by RT-PCR and the production of harpin protein was detected by western blot. The genetic transformation efficiency varied from 2,7% to 6,2% depending on the cultivar. Some transgenic lines had abnormal development, not allowing performing Southern blot analysis or multiplication by grafting. Plants of ‘Hamlin’ sweet orange were propagated by grafting and evaluated for Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri resistance. All tested plants presented reduction in the severity of the symptoms caused by bacterium X. axonopodis pv. citri 30 days after the inoculation.

ASSUNTO(S)

resistência genética genetic transformation genes hrpn gene sweet orange xanthomonas engenharia genética inducible promotor disease resistance xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri laranja cancro – doença de planta

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