Transgenic crop resistance to bacteria

Abstract

The advent of molecular genetics not only made possible analysis of disease mechanisms at a level of resolution not previously possible, but also provided the necessary tools to genetically engineer into plants new capabilities for self-defence against pathogens. In the case of bacterial pathogens, the study of genes and mechanisms of pathogenesis and natural or induced plant resistance, and parallel work with antibacterial proteins from various sources, have provided a basis for implementing a range of molecular strategies to introduce novel forms of transgenic resistance in plants. These approaches fall in three basic categories: (a) introduction of bacterial avirulence genes; (b) incorporation of pathogen-derived genes for resistance to bacterial phytotoxins; and (c) expression of antibacterial proteins from plants, insects, or bacteriophages as bactericidal or bacteriolytic agents. If the preliminary laboratory results hold during field evaluations, ultimately, a broad range of genes and engineering strategies can be envisioned that singly or, more likely, in combination, should provide effective and durable resistance to bacterial pathogens.