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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » Vegetable Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #346662
Title: Methods for transient gene expression in wild relatives of potato

Author
item ABDULLAH, SIDRAT - University Of Wisconsin
item Halterman, Dennis

Submitted to: Methods in Molecular Biology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/8/2017
Publication Date: 9/5/2018
Citation: Abdullah, S., Halterman, D.A. 2018. Methods for transient gene expression in wild relatives of potato. Methods in Molecular Biology. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8724-5_11.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8724-5_11

Interpretive Summary: In this manuscript, we describe methods for gene expression in wild potato relatives using the bacteria Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The temporary expression of genes in potato allows for the observation of gene expression without the need for stable integration into the plant genome. Wild potato relatives are typically more difficult to infiltrate with A. tumefaciens and our methods help to optimize this process.

Technical Abstract: Genomics studies in potato and other plants have elucidated a large number of genes involved in a wide array of phenotypes. Functional testing of gene candidates includes stable integration of DNA to either overexpress or silence these genes in order to obtain a visible phenotype. However, in many cases this can be time consuming. Alternatively, Agrobacterium tumefaciens can be used to transiently express genes in plant tissue to observe phenotypic changes. Wild relatives of potato contain a large amount of genotypic diversity and are an excellent tool to identify important agronomic traits, including resistance to diseases. The methods presented here help to facilitate the screening of wild potato accessions using agro infiltration.