RNAi-Mediated Downregulation of Cyano-Glycoside Biosynthesis in Kenyan Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Genotypes
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Date
2015
Authors
Ngugi, M.P.
Murugi, N.J.
Okoth, O.R.
Ombori, O.R.
Jalemba, M.A.
Chelule, C.R.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
OMICS International
Abstract
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an important perennial tropical crop for millions of people globally, particularly in sub-
Saharan Africa. It is preferred due to its agronomical attributes such as ability to grow in poor soils and drought resistance. Cassava
storage roots are a good source of starch. Further, cassava leaves and shoots are eaten as vegetables and are an excellent source
of vitamins, minerals and protein. Cassava is also used in the production of ethanol for fuel, animal feed, and as a raw material for
the starch industry. Cassava has high photosynthetic rates and its roots can persist in the soil for 8-24 months without decaying,
thereby making it an ideal food security crop. In Kenya, cassava is a major source of subsistence and cash income to farmers in agroclimatically-
disadvantaged regions and high potential areas of coast, Central and Western regions of Kenya. Sadly, cassava leaves
and roots contain potentially toxic levels of cyanogenic glycosides. Cassava is largely propagated clonally making it an ideal plant
for improvement through genetic engineering. This study was designed to produce transgenic acyanogenic cassava plants in which
the expression of the cytochrome P450 genes (CYP79D1/D2) is downregulated through RNAi. Three Kenyan cassava genotypes;
Adhiambo lera, Kibanda meno and Serere along with an exotic model cultivar TMS 60444 were used. The transformable lines were
then taken through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation with an RNAi cassette harbouring cytochrome P450 genes (CYP92D1)
to down regulate production of cyanoglycosides. Molecular analysis by PCR and RT-PCR confirmed transformation of the putative
transformants.
Description
DOI:10.4172/2329-9029.1000148
Keywords
Manihot esculenta, RNAi, PCR, RT-PCR, Southern blotting, Agrobacterium tumefasciens
Citation
J Plant Biochem Physiol 2015, 3:3