title: Impacts of pr-10a overexpression at the molecular and the phenotypic level.
abstract: Biotechnological approaches using genetic modifications such as homologous gene overexpression can be used to decode gene functions under well-defined circumstances. However, only the recording of the resulting phenotypes allows inferences about the impact of the modification on the organisms' evolutionary, ecological or economic performance. We here compare a potato wild-type cell line with two genetically engineered cell cultures homologously overexpressing Pathogenesis Related Protein 10a (pr-10a). A detailed analysis of the relative gene-expression patterns of pr-10a and its regulators sebf and pti4 over time provides insights into the molecular response of heterotrophic cells to distinct osmotic and salt-stress conditions. Furthermore, this system serves as an exemplar for the tracing of respiration kinetics as a faster and more sensitive alternative to the laborious and time-consuming recording of growth curves. The utility and characteristics of the resulting data type and the requirements for its appropriate analysis are figured out. It is demonstrated how this novel type of phenotypic information together with the gene-expression-data provides valuable insights into the effect of genetic modifications on the behaviour of cells on both the molecular and the macroscopic level.
authors.affiliation: DSMZ-German Collection for Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Inhoffenstr. 7b, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany. lev09@dsmz.de
authors.forename: Lea A I
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Vaas
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marheine
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sikorski
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Göker
authors.forename: Heinz-Martin
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Schumacher
mesh_terms: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D005838:Genotype; D006836:Hydro-Lyases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D010641:Phenotype; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011198:Solanum tuberosum / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C416516:PBF-2 protein, Solanum tuberosum; D010940:Plant Proteins; D006836:Hydro-Lyases; C070395:mannopine synthase