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Transformation of a marker-free and vector-free antisense ACC oxidase gene cassette into melon via the pollen-tube pathway

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Abstract

Purpose of work

Melons have short shelf-lives due to fruit ripening caused by ethylene production. The 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase gene is essential for ethylene biosynthesis. As fruit ripening in other fruit crops can be deterred by down-regulation of ACC oxidase expression, we have carried out similar work to improve fruit quality and shelf-life of the melon Cucumis melo.

A marker-free and vector-free antisense 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase construct was transformed into melon via the pollen-tube pathway. Based on phenotype analysis together with RT-PCR data, a transformation frequency of 0.7% was achieved. The transgenic fruits showed respiration rate and endogenous ethylene production level at approx. 15 and 6% of those of wild-type fruits, respectively. These fruits also demonstrated improved flesh firmness and exhibited extended shelf-life of 30 days compared to less than 12 days for the wild type fruits.

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Acknowledgments

Project no. 30660111 supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China and project no. J0730648 supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China for Fostering Talents in Basic Research. We are grateful to Prof. Bo Liu (University of California, Davis) for his help in revising the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Herbage & Endemic Crop Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 010021, Hohhot, People’s Republic of China

    Jinfeng Hao, Yiding Niu, Baojun Yang, Feng Gao, Liquan Zhang, Jing Wang & Agula Hasi

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  1. Jinfeng Hao
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  2. Yiding Niu
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  3. Baojun Yang
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  4. Feng Gao
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  5. Liquan Zhang
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  6. Jing Wang
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  7. Agula Hasi
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Correspondence to Agula Hasi.

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Hao, J., Niu, Y., Yang, B. et al. Transformation of a marker-free and vector-free antisense ACC oxidase gene cassette into melon via the pollen-tube pathway. Biotechnol Lett 33, 55–61 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-010-0398-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-010-0398-2

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