Biotech Updates

Devt of GM Rice with Resistance against Rice Stripe Virus using RNAi

May 13, 2011

Rice stripe virus (RSV), the pathogen causing rice stripe disease, is one of the most predominant and severe virus diseases in rice. Thus, a resistant breed is necessary to prevent the spread of the disease. Jin Ma of Shandong Agricultural University, China, and colleagues used the RNA interference (RNAi) system, and constructed three RNAi cloning vectors based on coat protein (CP), special-disease protein (SP) and chimeric CP/SP gene sequence. Transgenic rice lines were produced through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.

Results showed that chimeric CP/SP RNAi lines exhibited stronger resistance against two RSV isolates, compared to the other lines. It was also observed that virus resistance was increased by RNAi. Further analysis showed that transgene and virus resistance was inherited in the T2 progeny plants.

Full article is available for subscribers of Transgenic Research at http://www.springerlink.com/content/v385671005722k7r/.