The USe of pac1 Gene from Schizosaccaromyces pombe to Protect Potato from Potato virus Y (PVY) and Potato X (PVX) Infections

Abstract

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.