RNAi-Mediated Resistance of Transgenic Lettuce to Whiteflies
September 27, 2017| |
Abdulrazak B. Ibrahim of Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, together with colleagues, constructed an RNAi-based plasmid that targets the v-ATPase enzyme, known to have diverse functions in membranes including ion transport, in whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). The transgene was transformed into selected lettuce (Lactuca sativa) plants. The presence of the transgene was confirmed in T0 and T1 generations of transgenic lettuce lines, segregating in a Mendelian fashion.
Seven lines were infested with whiteflies and monitored over a period of 32 days. Analysis showed that within five days of feeding, insects that fed on transgenic plants showed a mortality rate of 83.8–98.1%. Moreover, a huge reduction in the number of eggs was observed in flies feeding on transgenic lettuce plants than on control lines. Analysis of the whiteflies showed decreased expression level of endogenous v-ATPase gene in whiteflies feeding on transgenic plants.
This study could be a foundation for the production of whitefly-resistant commercial crops.
For more information, read the article in Transgenic Research.
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- Millet Genome Sequenced by Scientists from 10 Countries
- Kenya to Start National Performance Trials for Bt Cotton
- Scientists Unravel Mysteries of DNA Replication in Corn
- Cornell Alliance Launches New Campaign to Support Agri Innovations in Developing Nations
- Nagoya Scientists Develop Molecule that Increases the Number of Stomata
- Filipino Farmers Trained on Biotech and Science Communication
- White Guinea Yam Genome Sequenced
- Research Sheds Light on How Plants Breathe
- EU Court Rules that Prejudices on GMOs are Unfounded
-
Research Highlights
- NHX Transporters from Jerusalem Artichoke Improves Salinity Tolerance in Rice
- RNAi-Mediated Resistance of Transgenic Lettuce to Whiteflies
-
Beyond Crop Biotech
- International Team Publishes Asian Citrus Pysllid Genome
- Only Two Genes Control the Stripes and Color of Butterfly Wings
-
Resources
- Video: How Bt Eggplant Rescued Bangladesh's Staple Crop
-
Plant
- TALEN-Mediated Mutagenesis of Large Number of COMT Copies in Sugarcane
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (April 17, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 10, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet