A farmer noticed that nematode infection in tobacco plants has resulted in the reduction in the yield. Suggest a strategy which providing resistance to this pest. Explain the technique.
Answers
Explanation:
Nematode Meloidegyne incognitia infects the roots of tobacco plants and causes a great reduction in yield. RNA interference (RNAi) was used to stop this infestation. This method involves silencing of a specific mRNA due to a complementary dsRNA molecule that binds to and prevents translation of the mRNA (silencing). The source of this complementary RNA could be from an infection by viruses having RNA genomes or mobile genetic elements (transposons) that replicate via an RNA intermediate.
Answer:
Strategy based on the process of RNA interference (RNAi) - as a method of cellular defence can be used. This method involves silencing of a specific mRNA due to a complementary dsRNA molecule that binds to and prevents translation of the mRNA (silencing). The source of this complementary RNA can be from an infection by viruses having RNA genomes or mobile genetic elements (transposons) that replicate via an RNA intermediate. Using Agrobacterium vectors, nematode-specific genes are introduced into the host plant. The introduction of DNA produces both sense and anti-sense RNA in the host cells. Two RNA’s being complementary to each other form a double stranded (dsRNA) that initiateRNAi and thus, silence the specific mRNA of the nematode. As a consequence, the parasite cannot survive in a transgenic host expressing specific interfering RNA. The transgenic plant therefore gets protected from the parasite.