Transgenic Potatoes With Multiple Stress Tolerance

When plants are exposed to abiotic stresses, like extreme temperatures, salinity and heavy metal toxicity, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are induced in the cell. ROS can damage organelles as well as the cell membrane. The cell employs several mechanisms to help minimize the effect of ROS, like the increased expression of enzymes with antioxidant properties. Nucleoside diphosphate kinase 2 (NDPK2) is an example of such enzyme. Although important in basic cell processes like signal transduction and maintenance of certain biomolecules, expression of NDPK2 gene was found to mediate stress tolerance responses in the model plant Arabidopsis.

By inserting the gene coding for NDPK2, a group of Korean scientists successfully obtained transgenic potato lines exhibiting increased tolerance to high salinity, increased temperature and chemical toxicity. The gene was specifically expressed in the cytosol (internal cell fluid). The transgenic potato developed by the researchers may prove to be suitable for cultivation in marginal soils. Further characterization of potato lines is under investigation in terms of multiple stresses including drought and cold stress.

The abstract of the paper, including links to the full article, is available at http://www.springerlink.com/content/w30567gr1314u276/?p=911022bfde3240babb0fb64bb0b5136d&pi=7