Host Induced Gene Silencing Aids in Developing Aflatoxin Resistant Maize
April 29, 2015| |
In Africa, maize production has been affected by Aspergillus flavus, a fungus that produces aflatoxin, causing economic losses and negative health impacts to human and animals. Hence, researchers from Kenyatta University and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology conducted a study which aimed to develop a strategy in reducing aflatoxin production in maize.
By the use of host induced gene silencing, transgenic maize was developed with a hairpin construct which targets the aflatoxin biosynthesis transcription factor aflR. Downregulation of alfR was observed in transgenic maize when exposed to A. flavus colonization. This has resulted to lower production of aflatoxin in maize kernels by 14 fold than those observed in wild maize types. These results suggest the potential of host induced gene silencing in developing aflatoxin-resistance maize.
Full details of the story can be read in Plant Cell Reports.
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