Abstract
Constitutive expression of genes encoding pathogenesis related (PR) proteins is one of the strategies proposed to obtain a broad and durable level of resistance to different phytopathogenic fungi. In view of this, we analyzed the response to fungal infections of transgenic tomato plants overexpressing tobacco PR-5, PR-1 and chitinase genes. Constitutive expression of the PR-5 protein osmotin was correlated with increased resistance to grey mold, powdery mildew and late blight, confirmed up to the T3 generation. Co-expression of more than one PR- gene in the same genome might represent a further advantage. We have constructed plant expression vectors of pUC 19 derivatives that can be inserted into the cloning sites of plant transformation vectors for co-expression of up to three genes. To evaluate the use of the vectors, three target gene (PR-1, chitinase and osmotin) cassettes were constructed. Preliminary results from molecular analyses and infections with pathogens of transgenic plant material, indicate that these vectors can be used for co-transformation of multiple target genes. Additional improvements would involve the use of different promoters and/or genes encoding proteins with higher synergistic antifungal activity.
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© 1999 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Veronese, P. et al. (1999). Pathogenesis-related proteins for the control of fungal diseases of tomato. In: Mugnozza, G.T.S., Porceddu, E., Pagnotta, M.A. (eds) Genetics and Breeding for Crop Quality and Resistance. Developments in Plant Breeding, vol 8. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4475-9_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4475-9_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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