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Virus-induced gene silencing of Mlo genes induces powdery mildew resistance in Triticum aestivum

Archives of Virology volume 157, pages 1345–1350 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Powdery mildew is one of the most important cereal diseases worldwide. Genetic analysis has revealed that mutant alleles of the Mlo gene cause broad-spectrum resistance against this pathogen in barley. In this study, the possibility of inducing broad-spectrum powdery mildew resistance against this pathogen by RNAi of the barley Mlo ortholog in wheat was examined using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). A clear correlation was found between resistance and accumulation of Mlo-specific siRNAs, raising the possibility of designing powdery mildew resistance in wheat by RNA silencing using both transgenic and non-transgenic approaches.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Christophe Lacomme for providing the BSMV vector. V.E. is the recipient of a Bolyai Janos Felowship. This work was supported by GAK TRIPATOL.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Biotechnology Center, Plant Virology Group, Szent Györgyi A. út 4, Gödöllő, 2100, Hungary

    Éva Várallyay, Gábor Giczey & József Burgyán

Authors
  1. Éva Várallyay
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  2. Gábor Giczey
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  3. József Burgyán
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Correspondence to Éva Várallyay.

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Várallyay, É., Giczey, G. & Burgyán, J. Virus-induced gene silencing of Mlo genes induces powdery mildew resistance in Triticum aestivum . Arch Virol 157, 1345–1350 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-012-1286-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-012-1286-y

Keywords

  • Powdery Mildew
  • Powdery Mildew Resistance
  • Barley Stripe Mosaic Virus
  • Systemic Leaf
  • Secondary Hypha