Transgenic potato plants expressing oxalate oxidase have increased resistance to oomycete and bacterial pathogens
Schneider. M Bonnel. E Metraux. J. P Droz. E Malnoe. P Chatot. C
Potato Research ; 2002 [Vol.45] Pages:177-185
Abstract
Potato (cv. Bintje) was transformed with a gene encoding an oxalate oxidase from wheat under the control of the CaMV35S promoter. Transgenic potato plants produced high constitutive levels of H2O2 as visualized by 4-chloro-1-naphtol staining. The resistance of these plants was tested against Phytophthora infestans. An increased level of resistance to the disease was marked by a reduced number of lesions as well as by a decreased number of sporangia formed per lesion. In addition, oxalate oxidase overexpressing plants also exhibited improved resistance to Streptomyces reticuliscabiei, the causal agent of netted scab. Increased expression of oxalate oxidase had no effect on the interaction with Erwinia carotovora. These experiments show that overexpression of oxalate oxidase represents a potentially interesting approach for protection of potato to pathogens.
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