Articles
Enhancing Vaccinium corymbosum regeneration by genome engineering
Article number
1454_47
Pages
335 – 342
Language
English
Abstract
Cultivating highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is hindered by challenges in efficient regeneration and genetic transformation, particularly due to genotype-dependent variability in tissue culture responses.
To address these limitations, our research investigates the role of morphogenic regulators, WUSCHEL (WUS) and BABY BOOM (BBM), in enhancing regeneration efficiency.
We initiated our study by characterizing the native WUS and BBM genes across five blueberry cultivars exhibiting varying regenerative capacities.
Notably, a conserved three-nucleotide deletion in the WUS coding region was identified in recalcitrant cultivars, correlating with reduced regenerative potential.
Protein modeling further revealed structural alterations in these variants, potentially impacting WUS function in stem cell maintenance.
Building upon these findings, we developed eight experimental transformation vectors based on the pGFPGUSPlus backbone, incorporating WUS and BBM genes from Arabidopsis thaliana and Boechera divaricarpa. These vectors are designed to assess the efficiency of exogenous morphogenic gene expression in improving regeneration across the aforementioned cultivars.
Our approach aims to establish a robust, genotype-independent transformation system that minimizes reliance on external plant growth regulators.
By integrating molecular characterization with applied transformation strategies, this study lays the groundwork for more efficient genetic improvement of blueberry and potentially other recalcitrant horticultural crops.
To address these limitations, our research investigates the role of morphogenic regulators, WUSCHEL (WUS) and BABY BOOM (BBM), in enhancing regeneration efficiency.
We initiated our study by characterizing the native WUS and BBM genes across five blueberry cultivars exhibiting varying regenerative capacities.
Notably, a conserved three-nucleotide deletion in the WUS coding region was identified in recalcitrant cultivars, correlating with reduced regenerative potential.
Protein modeling further revealed structural alterations in these variants, potentially impacting WUS function in stem cell maintenance.
Building upon these findings, we developed eight experimental transformation vectors based on the pGFPGUSPlus backbone, incorporating WUS and BBM genes from Arabidopsis thaliana and Boechera divaricarpa. These vectors are designed to assess the efficiency of exogenous morphogenic gene expression in improving regeneration across the aforementioned cultivars.
Our approach aims to establish a robust, genotype-independent transformation system that minimizes reliance on external plant growth regulators.
By integrating molecular characterization with applied transformation strategies, this study lays the groundwork for more efficient genetic improvement of blueberry and potentially other recalcitrant horticultural crops.
Authors
F. Kelso, E. White, B. Farlow, W. Liu, R. Dewey, K. Da, H. Ashrafi
Keywords
BABY BOOM, blueberry, glucocorticoid receptor, pGFPGUSPlus, plant transformation, Vaccinium corymbosum, WUSCHEL
Groups involved
- Division Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology
- Working Group Genetic Transformation and Gene Editing
- Working Group Horticultural Biotechnology and Breeding
- Division Ornamental Plants
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Division Temperate Tree Fruits
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Horticulture for Development
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