Transgenic Sweet Orange Research Articles

CsBZIP40 confers resistance against citrus bacterial canker by repressing CsWRKY43-CsPrx53/CsSOD13 cascade mediated ROS scavenging.

As the bacterial etiologic agent causing citrus bacterial canker (CBC), Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) seriously impacts citrus plantation and fruit production globally. In an earlier study, we demonstrated that CsBZIP40 can positively impact CBC resistance in the sweet orange (Citrus sinensis). However, the mechanistic basis for the protective benefits conferred by CsBZIP40 is yet to be delineated. Here, we show that CsBZIP40 positively regulates CBC resistance and reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis in transgenic sweet orange overexpressing CsBZIP40. CsBZIP40 directly binds to the TGA-box of the CsWRKY43 promoter to repress its transcriptional activity. CsWRKY43 overexpression induces CBC susceptibility in transgenic sweet oranges. In contrast, its inhibition produces strong resistance to CBC. CsWRKY43 directly binds to the W-boxes of the CsPrx53 and CsSOD13 promoters to positively regulate the activities of these antioxidant enzymes, resulting in the negative regulation of ROS homeostasis and CBC resistance in sweet orange plants. CsPrx53/CsSOD13 knockdown enhances ROS accumulation and CBC resistance. Overall, our results outline a regulatory pathway through which CsBZIP40 transcriptionally represses CsWRKY43-CsPrx53/CsSOD13 cascade-mediated ROS scavenging in a manner conducive to CBC resistance. These mechanisms underscore the potential importance of CsBZIP40, CsWRKY43, CsPrx53, and CsSOD13, providing promising strategies for the prevention of CBC.

The Arabidopsis immune receptor EFR increases resistance to the bacterial pathogens Xanthomonas and Xylella in transgenic sweet orange.

Citrus agribusiness faces major economic losses due to bacterial diseases (Caserta et al., 2020). Citrus canker (CC) and citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) and Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca (Xfp), respectively, are important threats in commercial citrus orchards. All sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) commercial varieties are susceptible to both pathogens, and no natural resistance has been found so far.

Transgenic Sweet Orange expressing hairpin CP-mRNA in the interstock confers tolerance to citrus psorosis virus in the non-transgenic scion

The lack of naturally occurring resistance to citrus psorosis virus (CPsV) necessitates a transgenic approach for the development of CPsV-resistant citrus. To evaluate the feasibility of conferring resistance to a non-transgenic scion, we have assembled citrus plants by grafting combining a non-transgenic Sweet Orange as scion, CPsV-resistant transgenic Sweet Orange lines expressing intron-hairpin (ihp) RNA derived from the viral coat protein (ihpCP) as interstock, and a non-transgenic citrus as rootstock. We demonstrated that ihpCP-transcripts translocate through the graft from interstock to scion, triggering the silencing of coat protein mRNA target. Two independent CPsV challenge assays showed that expression of ihpCP in the interstock provides resistance against CPsV in the interstock, and different levels of protection in the non-tg scion, depending of the virus delivery site. These results indicated that grafting is a promising biotechnological alternative to protect woody plants against virus infections in vegetative propagated plants.

MITE insertion-dependent expression of CitRKD1 with a RWP-RK domain regulates somatic embryogenesis in citrus nucellar tissues

BackgroundSomatic embryogenesis in nucellar tissues is widely recognized to induce polyembryony in major citrus varieties such as sweet oranges, satsuma mandarins and lemons. This capability for apomixis is attractive in agricultural production systems using hybrid seeds, and many studies have been performed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of various types of apomixis. To identify the gene responsible for somatic embryogenesis in citrus, a custom oligo-DNA microarray including predicted genes in the citrus polyembryonic locus was used to compare the expression profiles in reproductive tissues between monoembryonic and polyembryonic varieties. The full length of CitRKD1, which was identified as a candidate gene responsible for citrus somatic embryogenesis, was isolated from satsuma mandarin and its molecular function was investigated using transgenic ‘Hamlin’ sweet orange by antisense-overexpression.ResultsThe candidate gene CitRKD1, predominantly transcribed in reproductive tissues of polyembryonic varieties, is a member of the plant RWP-RK domain-containing protein. CitRKD1 of satsuma mandarin comprised two alleles (CitRKD1-mg1 and CitRKD1-mg2) at the polyembryonic locus controlling embryonic type (mono/polyembryony) that were structurally divided into two types with or without a miniature inverted-repeat transposable element (MITE)-like insertion in the upstream region. CitRKD1-mg2 with the MITE insertion was the predominant transcript in flowers and young fruits where somatic embryogenesis of nucellar cells occurred. Loss of CitRKD1 function by antisense-overexpression abolished somatic embryogenesis in transgenic sweet orange and the transgenic T1 plants were confirmed to derive from zygotic embryos produced by self-pollination by DNA diagnosis. Genotyping PCR analysis of 95 citrus traditional and breeding varieties revealed that the CitRKD1 allele with the MITE insertion (polyembryonic allele) was dominant and major citrus varieties with the polyembryonic allele produced polyembryonic seeds.ConclusionCitRKD1 at the polyembryonic locus plays a principal role in regulating citrus somatic embryogenesis. CitRKD1 comprised multiple alleles that were divided into two types, polyembryonic alleles with a MITE insertion in the upstream region and monoembryonic alleles without it. CitRKD1 was transcribed in reproductive tissues of polyembryonic varieties with the polyembryonic allele. The MITE insertion in the upstream region of CitRKD1 might be involved in regulating the transcription of CitRKD1.

Enhanced resistance to citrus canker in transgenic sweet orange expressing the sarcotoxin IA gene

Citrus canker, caused by the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas citri subp. Citri (Xcc), is a serious disease reported in most citrus-producing areas around the world. Although different levels of field resistance to citrus canker have been reported in sweet oranges, they are usually not sufficient to provide adequate control of the disease. Ectopic over-expression of antibacterial genes is one of the potential strategies to increase plant resistance to bacterial diseases. Previous in vitro results showed that sarcotoxin IA, an antimicrobial peptide isolated from the flesh fly (Sarcophaga peregrina), can be efficient to control different plant pathogenic bacteria, including Xcc. Transgenic “Pera” sweet orange (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck) plants constitutively expressing the sarcotoxin IA peptide fused to the PR1a signal peptide from Nicotiana tabacum for secretion in the intercellular space were obtained by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using thin sections of mature explants. Citrus canker resistance evaluation in leaves of transgenic and non-transgenic plants was performed through inoculations with Xcc by infiltration and spraying. The Xcc population was up to 2 log unit lower in leaves of the transgenic plants compared to those of non-transgenic controls. Incidence of canker lesions was significantly higher in non-transformed controls (>10 lesions/cm2) than in the transgenic plants (<5 lesions/cm2) after injection infiltration or spraying with Xcc inoculum. Accumulation of sarcotoxin IA peptide in sweet orange tissue did not cause any deleterious effects on the growth and development of the transgenic plants, indicating this approach is suitable to provide resistance to citrus canker.

Bacterial resistance in AtNPR1 transgenic sweet orange is mediated by priming and involves EDS1 and PR2

In sweet orange, varietal resistance is crucial to avoid citrus canker, a disease caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) that is a significant problem for some of the world’s leading producers. In the present study, transgenic sweet orange plants (Hamlin) overexpressing the A. thaliana Npr1 (non-expressor of pathogenesis-related [PR] genes) gene were produced and assessed for Xcc resistance and for the levels of expression of disease resistance genes. The leaves of these transgenic plants exhibited fewer lesions and reduced bacterial concentrations compared to non-transformed control. Both in vitro and screenhouse experiments on the transgenic plants yielded similar results, which makes in vitro screening an interesting prospect for the initial identification of citrus canker resistance. The stronger expression of EDS1 and PR2 after pathogen inoculation correlated with a higher tolerance response suggesting a possible priming effect. The use of AtNPR1 is an alternative against citrus canker since it led to higher tolerance in a pathogen-dependent response

Plant Stress and Biotechnology

Plant Stress and Biotechnology

Transcriptional Profiling of Canker-Resistant Transgenic Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensisOsbeck) Constitutively Overexpressing a Spermidine Synthase Gene

Citrus canker disease caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) is one of the most devastating diseases affecting the citrus industry worldwide. In our previous study, the canker-resistant transgenic sweet orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) plants were produced via constitutively overexpressing a spermidine synthase. To unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying Xcc resistance of the transgenic plants, in the present study global transcriptional profiling was compared between untransformed line (WT) and the transgenic line (TG9) by hybridizing with Affymetrix Citrus GeneChip. In total, 666 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, 448 upregulated, and 218 downregulated. The DEGs were classified into 33 categories after Gene ontology (GO) annotation, in which 68 genes are in response to stimulus and involved in immune system process, 12 genes are related to cell wall, and 13 genes belong to transcription factors. These genes and those related to starch and sucrose metabolism, glutathione metabolism, biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids, and plant hormones were hypothesized to play major roles in the canker resistance of TG9. Semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that the transcript levels of several candidate genes in TG9 were significantly higher than in WT both before and after Xcc inoculation, indicating their potential association with canker disease.

T-DNA direct repeat and 35S promoter methylation affect transgene expression but do not cause silencing in transgenic sweet orange

In transgenic plants, multiple T-DNA copies and cytosine methylation usually correlate with a loss of transgene expression while methylation of promoter is associated with transgene silencing. Here, six independent GFP transgenic ‘Bingtang’ sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.) plants were analyzed with copy number, T-DNA repeat, cytosine methylation and transgene expression. The fluorescence of transgenic plants was normal and bright except that the transgenic B4 plant showed mottled fluorescence. Five of the six transgenic plants had multiple transgene copies and three transgenic plants had direct repeat sequences. The degrees of cytosine methylation within GFP and CaMV 35S promoter region were higher in multiple copies than in single copy transgenic plant B6. Cytosine methylation of nptII in multiple copies transgenic plants except B4 was slightly greater than single copy transgenic plant B6. Furthermore, transgenic B4 plant with mottled GFP expression had the highest degree of methylation of CG cytosine pattern. The transcript level of GFP and nptII was lower in three transgenic plants (B1, B2 and B3) with direct repeat, as revealed by real-time RT–PCR analysis. These results suggest that multiple T-DNA copies and methylation of CaMV 35S promoter affect transgene expression levels but do not cause gene silencing in transgenic sweet orange.

Production and evaluation of transgenic sweet orange ( Citrus sinensis Osbeck) containing bivalent antibacterial peptide genes ( Shiva A and Cecropin B) via a novel Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of mature axillary buds

Transgenic plants of Jincheng orange ( Citrus sinensis Osbeck) and Newhall navel orange ( C. sinensis Osbeck) containing antibacterial peptide genes Shiva A and Cecropin B were successfully obtained by a novel Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of the mature axillary buds. PCR and Southern blot analysis of the transgenic plants verified that the Shiva A and Cecropin B genes were integrated into the citrus genome. The transgenic plants began to blossom and bear fruit in the 2nd year after grafting on trifoliate orange ( Poncirus trifoliata Raf) rootstock in greenhouse. Water-soluble extracts from transgenic citrus leaves exhibit in vitro suppressive effects on Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri, suggesting that the expressed products of Shiva A and Cecropin B in citrus retain their native antibacterial activities. Artificial inoculation in greenhouse and open field further indicates significantly increased resistance of transgenic plants to X. axonopodis pv. citri when compared with non-transgenic lines. No significant difference was found in the content of total soluble solids, total acidity, reduced sugar content and other fruit characteristics between transgenic and non-transgenic plants. In this present study, 11 transgenic lines were obtained from 40 transgenic lines, showing enhanced resistance to citrus canker disease.

Effect of storage and processing on plasmid, yeast and plant genomic DNA stability in juice from genetically modified oranges

Recombinant DNA technology is an important tool in the development of plant varieties with new favourable features. There is strong opposition towards this technology due to the potential risk of horizontal gene transfer between genetically modified plant material and food-associated bacteria, especially if genes for antibiotic resistance are involved. Since horizontal transfer efficiency depends on size and length of homologous sequences, we investigated the effect of conditions required for orange juice processing on the stability of DNA from three different origins: plasmid DNA, yeast genomic DNA and endogenous genomic DNA from transgenic sweet orange (C. sinensis L. Osb.). Acidic orange juice matrix had a strong degrading effect on plasmid DNA which becomes apparent in a conformation change from supercoiled structure to nicked, linear structure within 5h of storage at 4 degrees C. Genomic yeast DNA was degraded during exposure to acidic orange juice matrix within 4 days, and also the genomic DNA of C. sinensis suffered degradation within 2 days of storage as indicated by amplification results from transgene markers. Standard pasteurization procedures affected DNA integrity depending on the method and time used. Our data show that the current standard industrial procedures to pasteurize orange juice as well as its acidic nature causes a strong degradation of both yeast and endogenous genomic DNA below sizes reported to be suitable for horizontal gene transfer.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of sweet orange and regeneration of transgenic plants

Transgenic sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) plants have been obtained by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer. An hypervirulent A. tumefaciens strain harboring a binary vector that contains the chimeric neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPT II) and ß-glucuronidase (GUS) genes was cocultivated with stem segments from in vivo grown seedlings. Shoots regenerated under kanamycin selection were harvested from the stem segments within 12 weeks. Shoot basal portions were assayed for GUS activity and the remaining portions were shoot tip grafted in vitro for production of plants. Integration of the GUS gene was confirmed by Southern analysis. This transformation procedure showed the highest transgenic plant production efficiency reported for Citrus.