Biotech Updates

Arabidopsis NPR1 Gene Confers Broad-Spectrum Disease Resistance in Strawberry

August 5, 2015

Strawberry production is limited by its susceptibility to a wide range of pathogens. Researchers from the University of Florida expressed the Arabidopsis thaliana NPR1 gene (AtNPR1), a known regulator of the systemic acquired resistance (SAR), in the diploid strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) in hopes to develop disease resistance.

Ectopic expression of AtNPR1 in strawberry increased the transgenics' resistance to anthracnose, powdery mildew, and angular leaf spot, which are caused by different pathogens. The increased resistance is related to the relative expression levels of AtNPR1 in the transgenic plants. However, the transgenic plants were shorter than controls, and most of them fail to produce runners and fruits. Nevertheless, the results indicate that overexpression of AtNPR1 holds the potential for generation of broad-spectrum disease resistance in strawberry.

For more information, read the full article on Transgenic Research.