Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-3-2003

Abstract

Virus-induced gene silencing was used to assess the function of random Nicotiana benthamiana cDNAs in disease resistance. Out of 4992 cDNAs tested from a normalized library, there were 79 that suppressed a hypersensitive response (HR) associated with Pto-mediated resistance against Pseudomonas syringae. However, only six of these clones blocked the Pto-mediated suppression of P. syringae growth. The three clones giving the strongest loss of Pto resistance had inserts corresponding to HSP90 and also caused loss of Rx-mediated resistance against potato virus X and N-mediated tobacco mosaic virus resistance. The role of HSP90 as a cofactor of disease resistance is associated with stabilization of Rx protein levels and could be accounted for in part by SGT1 and other cofactors of disease resistance acting as co-chaperones. This approach illustrates the potential benefits and limitations of RNA silencing in forward screens of gene function in plants.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

EMBO Journal

First Page

5690

Last Page

5699

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