Transgenic Expression of Arabidopsis ELONGATION FACTOR-TU RECEPTOR (AtEFR) Gene in Banana Enhances Resistance Against Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum
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Date
2023
Authors
Adero, Mark
Tripathi, Jaindra Nath
Oduor, Richard
Zipfel, Cyril
Tripathi, Leena
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
plos one
Abstract
Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum
(Xcm) is a severe bacterial disease affecting banana production in East and Central Africa,
where banana is cultivated as a staple crop. Classical breeding of banana is challenging
because the crop is clonally propagated and has limited genetic diversity. Thus, genetic
engineering serves as a viable alternative for banana improvement. Studies have shown
that transfer of the elongation factor Tu receptor gene (AtEFR) from Arabidopsis thaliana to
other plant species can enhance resistance against bacterial diseases. However, AtEFR
activity in banana and its efficacy against Xcm has not been demonstrated. In this study,
transgenic events of banana (Musa acuminata) cultivar dwarf Cavendish expressing the
AtEFR gene were generated and evaluated for resistance against Xcm under greenhouse
conditions. The transgenic banana events were responsive to the EF-Tu-derived elf18 peptide
and exhibited enhanced resistance to BXW disease compared to non-transgenic control
plants. This study suggests that the functionality of AtEFR is retained in banana with the
potential of enhancing resistance to BXW under field conditions
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Citation
Adero M, Tripathi JN, Oduor R, Zipfel C, Tripathi L (2023) Transgenic expression of Arabidopsis ELONGATION FACTOR-TU RECEPTOR (AtEFR) gene in banana enhances resistance against Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum. PLoS ONE 18(9): e0290884. https:// doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0290884