A novel gene silencing strategy based on tobacco rattle virus in .

BACKGROUND

L. is a popular regional characteristic plant in China, cultivated for its attractive flower colors, extended bloom time, and medicinal properties. To enhance molecular breeding and gene function studies, we conducted transcriptome analysis and identified valuable genes in previous research. Nonetheless, the current inefficient and labor-intensive transformation techniques have hindered their applications. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) provides a precise and effective strategy for post-transcriptional down-regulation of endogenous gene expression.

METHODS

We investigated the performance of tobacco rattle virus (TRV) as a tool for targeting and silencing the gene encoding the protein involved in chloroplast development, cloroplastos alterados 1 (altered chloroplast; ), of through -mediated infiltration.

RESULTS

By effectively suppressing the gene associated with chloroplast development in the TRV-VIGS system, we have illustrated the inaugural implementation of VIGS in this species. Quantitative RT-PCR proved that expression in agro-infiltrated plants was lower than in the mock-infiltrated (mock) and the control (CK) plants. Phenotypic observations corroborated the albino phenotype in leaves following successful silencing.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showcases TRV-VIGS as a potential gene silencing tool for , facilitating functional genomics studies and molecular breeding efforts in this species.