Disruption of prefoldin-2 protein synthesis in root-knot nematodes via host-mediated gene silencing efficiently reduces nematode numbers and thus protects plants.

MAIN CONCLUSION: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of down-regulating endogeneous prefoldin-2 root-knot nematode transcripts by expressing dsRNA with sequence identity to the nematode gene in tobacco roots under the influence of strong Arabidopsis ubiquitin (UBQ1) promoter. Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are sedentary endoparasites infecting a wide range of plant species. They parasitise the root system, thereby disrupting water and nutrient uptake and causing major reductions in crop yields. The most reliable means of controlling RKNs is via the use of soil fumigants such as methyl bromide. With the emergence of RNA interference (RNAi) technology, which permits host-mediated nematode gene silencing, a new strategy to control plant pathogens has become available. In the present study, we investigated host-induced RNAi gene silencing of prefoldin-2 in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana. Reductions in prefoldin-2 mRNA transcript levels were observed when nematodes were soaked in a dsRNA solution in vitro. Furthermore, nematode reproduction was suppressed in RNAi transgenic lines, as evident by reductions in the numbers of root knots (by 34-60 % in independent RNAi lines) and egg masses (by 33-58 %). Endogenous expression of prefoldin-2, analysed via real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, revealed that the gene was strongly expressed in the pre-parasitic J2 stage. Our observations demonstrate the relevance and potential importance of targeting the prefoldin gene during the nematode life cycle. The work also suggests that further improvements in silencing efficiency in economically important crops can be accomplished using RNAi directed against plant-parasitic nematodes.

Expression and functional validation of heat-labile enterotoxin B (LTB) and cholera toxin B (CTB) subunits in transgenic rice (Oryza sativa).

We expressed the heat-labile enterotoxin B (LTB) subunit from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and the cholera toxin B (CTB) subunit from Vibrio cholerae under the control of the rice (Oryza sativa) globulin (Glb) promoter. Binding of recombinant LTB and CTB proteins was confirmed based on GM1-ganglioside binding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (GM1-ELISA). Real-time PCR of three generations (T3, T4, and T5) in homozygous lines (LCI-11) showed single copies of LTB, CTB, bar and Tnos. LTB and CTB proteins in rice transgenic lines were detected by Western blot analysis. Immunogenicity trials of rice-derived CTB and LTB antigens were evaluated through oral and intraperitoneal administration in mice, respectively. The results revealed that LTB- and CTB-specific IgG levels were enhanced in the sera of intraperitoneally immunized mice. Similarly, the toxin-neutralizing activity of CTB and LTB in serum of orally immunized mice was associated with elevated levels of both IgG and IgA. The results of the present study suggest that the combined expression of CTB and LTB proteins can be utilized to produce vaccines against enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholera, for the prevention of diarrhea.

Expression and large-scale production of the biochemically active human tissue-plasminogen activator in hairy roots of Oriental melon (Cucumis melo).

Human tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) is a thrombolytic protein that plays an active role in dissolving fibrin clots by fibrinolysis and in activating plasminogen to plasmin in blood vessels. t-PA and synthetic t-PA (st-PA) genes were expressed as enzymatically active form in hairy roots of Oriental melon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Geumssaragi-euncheon) infected by Agrobacterium rhizogenes. The insertion of the t-PA genes in genomic DNA of transgenic hairy roots was verified by PCR. The presence and expression of t-PA-specific transcripts in the total RNAs of transgenic hairy roots were confirmed by RT-PCR. Western blot analysis of the transgenic hairy roots showed a single major band of 59-kDa recombinant t-PAs. ELISA demonstrated that the highest level of recombinant t-PA (798 ng mg⁻¹) was detected in hairy roots expressing t-PA. Similarly, the maximum fibrinolysis of recombinant t-PAs was observed in hairy roots transformed with t-PA. WPM medium was found to be more suitable for rapid growth of hairy roots among all the seven media types tested. The hairy root production was 5.8 times higher than that of White medium. The total yield of hairy roots grown on WPM medium was 621.8±8.7 g L⁻¹ at pH 7.0. These studies demonstrate that the hairy roots could be employed for the mass production of enzymatically active t-PA.