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A novel, simple, and stable mesoporous silica nanoparticle-based gene transformation approach in Solanum lycopersicum

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Abstract

In this study, a novel and stable gene transformation system was developed under control of Maize Proteinase Inhibitor (MPI) as an inducible promoter using the Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MSNs). The functionalized MSNs with a proper particle size were synthesized and attached to a recombinant construct (pDNA) containing cryIAb gene under the control of MPI promoter (pPZP122:MPI:cryIAb:MSN [pDNA: MSN]) following transformation of tomato plants through injection of the pDNA: MSN complex into tomato red fruit at early ripening stage and then, putative transgenic seeds were collected. As an initial selection, gentamicin-resistant seedlings of T1 (24.24%) and T2 (61.37%) plants were identified. The transgene integration and expression were confirmed through the PCR, RT-PCR, and western blot approaches in the selected seedlings. PCR analysis showed that transformation frequency was equal to 10.71% in T1 plants. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis confirmed the transcript expression of cryIAb in all the T1 and T2 PCR-positive plants. Western blot analysis confirmed the existence of CryIAb protein in the leaves of T2 putative transgenic plants. Accordingly, the results demonstrated that the transgene has more likely integrated into the tomato genome through homologous recombination. Bioassay was carried out for further assessment of the plant responses to Tuta absoluta resulting in an enhanced tolerance of the plant. In conclusion, the MSN-mediated stable transformation system under the MPI as an inducible promoter can be used as a suitable alternative for conventional genetic transformation methods due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, cost and time-effectiveness, and positive effect on the plant defense against pathogens and pests.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Reza Sayyad from University of Tehran and Dr. Ghadamyari from University of Guilan for their scientific and technical advices, and express our gratitude to Zahra Shirzadian for grammatically revising our manuscript.

Funding

This work was partially funded by University of Guilan and also in part by Iran National Science Foundation (Grant no: 93033715).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, 4199613776, Iran

    Zahra Hajiahmadi, Reza Shirzadian-Khorramabad & Mohammad Mehdi Sohani

  2. Department of Energy, Materials and Energy Research Center, Tehran, 14155-477, Iran

    Mahmood Kazemzad

  3. Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 8415683111, Iran

    Jahangir khajehali

Authors
  1. Zahra Hajiahmadi
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  2. Reza Shirzadian-Khorramabad
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  3. Mahmood Kazemzad
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  4. Mohammad Mehdi Sohani
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  5. Jahangir khajehali
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Contributions

ZH did the research experiments and data analysis, RSH conducted and supervised the research project. MK supervised the nanoparticles synthesis and assessments. MMS and JKH worked in order as advisor of gene transformation and insect bioassay experiments, respectively. All authors have read and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Reza Shirzadian-Khorramabad.

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Hajiahmadi, Z., Shirzadian-Khorramabad, R., Kazemzad, M. et al. A novel, simple, and stable mesoporous silica nanoparticle-based gene transformation approach in Solanum lycopersicum. 3 Biotech 10, 370 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-020-02359-2

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