Expression of Chitinase Gene in Solanum tuberosum L.

  • Published : 1999.01.01

Abstract

In order to protect fungal diseases, leaf disc explants of Solanum tuberosum cultivar, Belchip, was infected with an Agrobacterium MP90 strain containing chimeric gene construct, consisting of antibiotic resistance and chitinase gene driven by the CaMV 35S promoter, for transformation. Regenerated multiple shoots were selected on a medium containing kanamycin and carbenicillin after exposure to Agrobacterium. The presence and integration of the npt II and chitinase gene were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Northern blot analysis indicated that the genes coding for the enzyme could be expressed in potato plants. The chitinase activity of transgenic potato plants was higher than the control potato.

Keywords