Designing an Effective RNA Interference Construct for Generating PVY-Resistant Transgenic Potato Plants

Document Type : Regular issue (Original Article)

Authors

1 Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11884, Egypt

2 Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful gene silencing technique that blocks specific gene expression. RNAi technology has shown great promise in controlling viral diseases in plants, particularly in potatoes, where viruses cause significant losses in quality and production. The ability of transgenic plants to resist insect viral infection by expressing double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) targeting viral genes has been documented. However, selecting target genes is a cornerstone for the success of RNAi in controlling viral diseases. The potato virus Y (PVY) is considered the most economically damaging for potato crops worldwide. The overall aim of the present study is the potential use of RNAi technology to create a virus-resistant potato crop, improving global food security. In the current study, two distinct RNA interference (RNAi) constructs were developed. The first construct is designed to target the P1 gene, which is responsible for encoding the initial protein of the potato virus Y (PVY). Meanwhile, the second construct targets the nuclear inclusion-Pro gene and serves the purpose of developing a transgenic potato variety that is resistant to PVY.

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