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Genetic transformation of a fruit-specific, highly expressed stilbene synthase gene from Chinese wild Vitis quinquangularis

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Abstract

Main conclusion

The stilbene synthase gene VqSTS6, from Chinese wild type Vitis quinquangularis accession Danfeng-2, increases the resveratrol content and pathogen resistance of transgenic plants of V. vinifera Thompson Seedless.

This study successfully created transgenic plants of V. vinifera Thompson Seedless which overexpressed VqSTS6, cloned from Chinese wild type V. quinquangularis accession Danfeng-2. Western blot and qRT-PCR showed a variable range in transcript levels among transgenic lines. The resistance to powdery mildew (Uncinula necator) was particularly enhanced in lines most highly expressing VqSTS6. Compared with the non-transformed controls, trans-resveratrol and other stilbene compounds were significantly increased in the transgenic lines. The correlation between high resveratrol content and high pathogen resistance in transgenic grapes is discussed. We hypothesize that the fruit-specific, highly expressed gene VqSTS6 from Chinese wild V. quinquangularis accession Danfeng-2, is directly involved in the resveratrol synthesis pathway in grapes, and plays an important role in the plant’s defense against pathogens. Genetic transformation of VqSTS6 explored the potential of the wild Chinese grape species for use in breeding, the results of which would raise both the disease resistance and the fruit quality of V. vinifera grapevines.

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Abbreviations

PEM:

Pro-embryogenic masses

SE:

Somatic embryo

IAA:

Indole-3-acetic acid

IBA:

Indole-3-butyric acid

AC:

Activated charcoal

BAP:

6-Benzylaminopurine

PM:

Powdery mildew

HPLC:

High-performance liquid chromatography

DW:

Dry weight

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China. The research was done with Grants from the National Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 31372039) and from the Program for Innovative Research Team of Grape Germplasm Resource and Breeding (2013KCT-25). The authors thank Dr. Alexander (Sandy) Lang from RESCRIPT Co. (New Zealand) for useful comments and language editing which have greatly improved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, No.3, Taicheng Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China

    Siyan Cheng, Xiaoqing Xie, Yan Xu, Chaohong Zhang, Xiping Wang, Jianxia Zhang & Yuejin Wang

  2. Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China

    Siyan Cheng, Xiaoqing Xie, Yan Xu, Chaohong Zhang, Xiping Wang, Jianxia Zhang & Yuejin Wang

  3. State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, People’s Republic of China

    Siyan Cheng, Xiaoqing Xie, Yan Xu, Chaohong Zhang, Xiping Wang, Jianxia Zhang & Yuejin Wang

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  1. Siyan Cheng
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  2. Xiaoqing Xie
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Correspondence to Jianxia Zhang or Yuejin Wang.

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Cheng, S., Xie, X., Xu, Y. et al. Genetic transformation of a fruit-specific, highly expressed stilbene synthase gene from Chinese wild Vitis quinquangularis . Planta 243, 1041–1053 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-015-2459-1

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