Phytopathologia Mediterranea (Apr 2005)

The USe of <em>pac</em>1 Gene from <em>Schizosaccaromyces pombe</em> to Protect Potato from <em>Potato virus Y </em> (PVY) and <em>Potato X</em> (PVX) Infections

  • C. Colalongo,
  • N. Contaldo,
  • G. Faccioli,
  • P. Pagan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14601/Phytopathol_Mediterr-1797
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 44, no. 2

Abstract

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The effect that pac1, a yeast-derived ds-RNA specific RNase gene, has on Potato virus X (PVX) and on Potato virus Y (PVY) infections in potato was investigated. Tuber disks of cv. Desirée were transformed with LB4404 Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying a modified PBI121 binary vector in which the transgene replaced GUS. Transformed plantlets were tested for possible acquired resistance by inoculation with purified virus suspensions at different concentrations and were ELISA-tested for virus content 40 days later. Plants of two clones had a significantly lower PVX content (66 to 75% that of the control, respectively), when inoculated with a 1 µg ml-1 suspension of the virus. One of these clones showed also a reduced PVY accumulation (41% that of the control), when inoculated with a 10 µg ml-1 suspension of this virus. Results demonstrated the practical utility of the pac1 gene for countering potato virus infections.