Browsing by Author "Arce-Johnson, P"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Expression of the chicken lysozyme gene in potato enhances resistance to infection by Erwinia carotovora subsp, Atroseptica
    (2000) Serrano, C; Arce-Johnson, P; Torres, H; Gebauer, M; Gutierrez, M; Moreno, M; Jordana, X; Venegas, A; Kalazich, J; Holuigue, L
    Infection of potato plants and tubers with the bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp, atroseptica produces blackleg and soft rot diseases, which cause significant losses to crops and stored potatoes. In order to obtain resistance against this bacterium, the gene chly encoding the enzyme lysozyme from chicken was introduced into potato plants (cv. Desiree) via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Sixty-three and 69 transgenic potato clones were evaluated in the greenhouse for resistance to blackleg and soft rot diseases, respectively. Results reported in this paper indicate that 21%-29% of the potato clones showed increased resistance to infection by the bacterium E. c, subsp, atroseptica T7, as revealed by a reduced severity of blackleg or soft rot symptoms. Nine clones showing different levels of resistance were selected for further molecular analysis. The number of copies of the transgene integrated in the plant genome of these clones was estimated by Southern blot analysis. The level of transgene expression, detected by Northern blot analysis, correlated with the level of resistance detected in these clones.
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    Tobamovirus coat protein CPCg induces an HR-like response in sensitive tobacco plants
    (2005) Ehrenfeld, N; Cañón, P; Stange, C; Medina, C; Arce-Johnson, P
    When inoculated into sensitive tobacco Xanthi-nn plants, the crucifer and garlic-infecting Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV-Cg) induces local necrotic lesions that resemble those seen in the hypersensitive response (HR) of resistant tobacco plants. However, unlike these, tobacco Xanthi-nn plants do not become resistant to infection and the virus spreads systemically causing a severe disease characterized by necrotic lesions throughout the plant. To identify the viral protein that elicits this necrotic response, we used a set of hybrid viruses constructed by combination of TMV-Cg and the tobacco mosaic virus strain U1 (TMV-U1). In this study we present evidence that the coat protein of TMV-Cg (CPCg),is the elicitor of the necrotic response in tobacco Xanthi-nn plants. Local and systemic necrotic lesions induced by TMV-Cg and by the hybrid U1-CPCg -that carries CPCg in a TMV-U1 context- are characterized by cell death and by the presence of autoflorescent phenolic compounds and H2O2, just like the HR lesions. In addition, defense-related genes and detoxifying genes are induced in tobacco Xanthi-nn plants after TMV-Cg and U1-CPCg inoculation. We postulate that in our system, CPCg is recognized by sensitive tobacco plants that mount an incomplete defense response. We call this an HR-like since it is not enough to induce plant resistance.
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    Isolation of Pinus radiata genomic DNA suitable for RAPD analysis
    (1998) Stange, C; Prehn, D; Arce-Johnson, P
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    Optimization of in vitro culture conditions for Pinus radiata embryos and histological characterization of regenerated shoots
    (1999) Stange, C; Prehn, D; Gebauer, M; Arce-Johnson, P
    Different in vitro culture conditions were tested on Pinus radiata organogenic embryos. Optimum shoot induction occurred at 26.1 degrees C, whereas the best elongation resulted at 21.4 degrees C. Supplements of 2.5 mg/l or 5 mg/l of BAP added to the induction media produced a similar number of regenerated shoots, which differed statistically from 1.0 mg/l of BAP and 0.025 mg/l TDZ. Addition of 10 mg/l MnSO4 to LP1/2 medium significantly increased the number and quality of in vitro regenerated shoots. The removal the apical region of shoots cultured in LP 2.5 mg/l of BAP increased the number of de novo generated shoots by 23%, compared to a control group with intact shoots. Approximately 70% of the in vitro shoots of P. radiata were of wet phenotype (hyperhydrated appearance); the rest were waxy in appearance. Histological cuts did not produce any differences in phenotypes, but scanning electronic microscopy of needles gave evidence of differences in epicuticular wax deposits. Abbreviations: LP: Quoirin and LePoivre basal medium, without plant growth regulators; LP,: LP medium + 1 mg/l BAP; LP2.5: LP medium+ 2.5 mg/l BAP; LP5 : LP medium + 5 mg/l BAP; LP1/2: LP basal medium at half strength of macroelements, 2%; commercial sugar, ammonium nitrate 100 mg/l, calcium nitrate 564.5 mg/l, hydroxyquinoleine 1.25 mg/l, MS vitamins and without plant growth regulators; LPT0.025: LP medium + 0.025 mg/l TDZ; BAP: N-6 benzylaminopurine; TDZ: Thidiazuron.
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    Protein(s) from the gram-positive bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis induces a hypersensitive response in plants
    (1998) Alarcón, C; Castro, J; Muñoz, F; Arce-Johnson, P; Delgado, J
    The gram-positive tomato pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis induced a local necrotic response on four-o'clock (Mirabilis jalapa) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants. This necrosis response was characteristic of the hypersensitive response (HR). The cell-free culture supernatant from strain CMM623 also induced a necrosis that was phenotypically similar to that induced by the bacteria. Inhibitors of plant metabolism suppressed the necrotic reaction of both M. jalapa and tobacco. The HR-inducing activity present in the supernatant was heat stable, sensitive to proteases; and had hn apparent molecular mass in the range of 35 to 50 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The properties observed for the necrosis-inducing activity resembled bacteria.
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    Replicase mediated resistance against Potato Leafroll Virus in potato Desiree plants
    (2004) Ehrenfeld, N; Romano, E; Serrano, C; Arce-Johnson, P
    Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) is a major menace for the potato production all Over the world. PLRV is transmitted by aphids, and until now, the only strategy available to control this pest has been to use large amounts of insecticides. Transgenic approaches involving the expression of viral replicases are being developed to provide protection for plants against viral diseases. The purpose of this study was to compare the protection afforded by the differential expression of PLRV replicase transgene in potato plants cv. Desiree. Plants were genetically modified to express the complete sense PLRV replicase gene. Two constructions were used. one containing the constitutive 35SCaMV promoter and the other the phloem-specific RolA promoter from Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Transgenic plants were infected with PLRV in vitro, using infested aphids. In plants in which 35SCaMV controlled the expression of the PLRV replicase gene, signs of infection were initially detected. although most plants later developed a recovery phenotype showing undetectable virus levels 40 days after infection. In turn, those plants with the RolA promoter displayed an initial resistance that was later overcome. Different molecular mechanisms are likely to participate in the response to PLRV infection of these two types of transgenic plants.