Over-expression of potato virus X TGBp1 movement protein in transgenic tobacco plants causes developmental and metabolic alterations.
Transgenic Nicotiana tabacum plants expressing the TGBp1 movement protein of potato virus X (PVX) were studied to investigate the effects caused by this protein on plant physiology and development. TGBp1 caused consistent reductions of size and weight in different organs of these plants; however shoot-to-root ratios were similar to those of control plants. Transgenic seedlings showed smaller root meristems and calli derived from TGBp1 leaves grew at a slower rate through successive subcultures. Microscopic observations of TGBp1 plants revealed flattened chloroplasts containing plastoglobuli-like bodies. Further analyses showed a considerable reduction in photosynthetic rate, lower starch levels in leaves and roots, higher nitrate accumulation in leaves and induction of pathogenesis-related (PR) protein genes. Since these changes were not observed when other PVX sequences were expressed in tobacco, we postulate that TGBp1 is an important symptom contributor in PVX infections.
Kobayashi
Ken
K
Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (UBA), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Sarrobert
Catherine
C
Ares
Ximena
X
Rivero
María M
MM
Maldonado
Sara
S
Robaglia
Christophe
C
Mentaberry
Alejandro
A
D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism; D017931:DNA Primers; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000502:physiology*; D010788:Photosynthesis; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017863:Potexvirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D017931:DNA Primers; D014764:Viral Proteins; D002734:Chlorophyll