Expression of mouse small interfering RNAs in lettuce using artificial microRNA technology
Tayebeh Kakeshpour,
Tej Man Tamang,
Woojun D Park,
Murli Manohar,
Jian Yang,
Kendal D Hirschi,
Sunghun Park
Affiliations
Tayebeh Kakeshpour
1Department of Horticulture & Natural Resources, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Tej Man Tamang
1Department of Horticulture & Natural Resources, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Woojun D Park
2Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Murli Manohar
3Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Jian Yang
4Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Children's Nutrition Research Center, Houston, TX 77030,USA
Kendal D Hirschi
4Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Children's Nutrition Research Center, Houston, TX 77030,USA
Sunghun Park
1Department of Horticulture & Natural Resources, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Artificial miRNA technology enables the generation of siRNAs to regulate the expression of targeted genes. However, the application of siRNAs to alter gene expression is challenging due to their instability and requires a means to efficiently deliver siRNAs into the host. Here, we report that the siRNAs targeted to animal mRNAs can be heterologously expressed and stably produced in lettuce. We have modified rice miRNA precursors to produce siRNAs in lettuce with the potential to target mRNAs of mouse complement 3 (C3) and coagulation factor 7 (CF7). Expression of primary and mature siRNAs in the transgenic lettuce lines was confirmed via Sanger sequencing. Our study demonstrates an applicable tool to alter gene expression in the targeted host and has potential utility in siRNA-based oral therapeutics.
