Gene silecing of citrus floema: modulation of infection hypersensitivity by Candidatus liberibacter spp

• Grant number: 19/01901-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): June 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Antonio Machado
• Grantee: Laís Moreira Granato
• Host Institution: Instituto Agronômico (IAC). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/50338-9 - From basic to applied science: upgrading the institutional infrastructure for supporting research and agribusiness innovations (PDIp), AP.PDIP

Abstract

Associated with responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, the accumulation of callose is an important defense mechanism of the plants. Callose is a polymer of B-1,3-glucan units that accumulate on phloem sieve tube plates, on the wall of the pollen grains, pollen tube, on other cell wall reinforcing structures. In citrus, callose seems to play an important role in defense responses to biotic stresses. The question that arises is what is its role in the different citrus patosystems, especially in phloem-limited pathogens? The goals of the proposal are to perform studies on the expression of phloem genes in sweet orange during the infection of Candidatus liberibacter spp, and, based in such results, to produce genetically modified sweet orange silencing genes involved in this response using the technology of RNAi. Such responses are usually known as effectors induced susceptibility. It is intended to intensify studies in biotechnology, with an emphasis on functional genomics, as tools to support the genetic breeding to obtain new cultivars. The results should contribute to obtain citrus plants with greater tolerance to HLB (Huanglongbing) through gene silencing technology by RNAi. This contribution is consistent with the need to develop new citrus cultivars, particularly for HLB tolerance without being completely transgenic since RNAi technology is considered to produce non-GM plants. The proposal will support new lines of action of the institution in the area of citrus breeding for fruit quality for both the juice industry and the fresh fruit market. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MAIARA CURTOLO; LAÍS MOREIRA GRANATO; TATIANY APARECIDA TEIXEIRA SORATTO; MAISA CURTOLO; RODRIGO GAZAFFI; MARCO AURÉLIO TAKITA; MARIÂNGELA CRISTOFANI-YALY; MARCOS ANTONIO MACHADO. Expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) mapping for callose synthases in intergeneric hybrids of Citrus challenged with the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. GENETICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, v. 43, n. 2, 2020-06-15. (19/01901-8, 14/50880-0, 16/22133-0)

GRANATO, LAIS MOREIRA; OLIVEIRA, TIAGO S.; BOSCARIOL-CAMARGO, RAQUEL L.; GALDEANO, DIOGO M.; SILVA, NICHOLAS, V; MAXIMO, HEROS J.; DALIO, RONALDO J. D.; MACHADO, MARCOS A.. 'CandidatusLiberibacter asiaticus' putative effectors:in silicoanalysis and gene expression in citrus leaves displaying distinct huanglongbing symptoms. ROPICAL PLANT PATHOLOG, v. 45, n. 6, p. 12-pg., 2020-07-06. (19/01901-8, 14/50880-0)

PICCHI, SIMONE CRISTINA; GRANATO, LAIS MOREIRA; FRANZINI, MARIA JULIA FESTA; ANDRADE, MAXUEL OLIVEIRA; TAKITA, MARCO AURELIO; MACHADO, MARCOS ANTONIO; DE SOUZA, ALESSANDRA ALVES. Modified Monosaccharides Content of Xanthan Gum Impairs Citrus Canker Disease by Affecting the Epiphytic Lifestyle of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri. MICROORGANISMS, v. 9, n. 6, JUN 2021. (13/10957-0, 17/18570-9, 14/50880-0, 13/01395-9, 19/01901-8)