Influence of a Mammalian 2'-5' A Oligoadenylate Synthetase Transgene on Tobacco Resistance to Potato virus X Infection

Abstract

The effect of human 2’-5’ A oligoadenylate synthethase transgene against Potato virus X (PVX) infection in
tobacco plants was studied. To the purpose, leaf tissues of cv. Samsun were transformed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens
LB 4404 carrying a modified PBI121 binary vector deprived of GUS and containing the transgene. Seventy-five
percent of R1 derived seeds germinated on kanamycin selective medium, indicating the transgene integration in a
single locus. The virus resistance of R1 plantlets was tested by mechanical inoculation with purified suspension of
different virus concentration (1, 0.1, and 0.05 mg ml-1). Only plants inoculated with the lowest PVX concentration,
showed a reduced virus content (43% that of controls) 20 days after inoculation. This result renders the practical
utility of the gene doubtful.