Apple latent spherical virus (ALSV)-induced gene silencing in a medicinal plant, Lithospermum erythrorhizon.

ABSTRACT: Lithospermum erythrorhizon is a medicinal plant that produces shikonin, a red lipophilic naphthoquinone derivative that accumulates exclusively in roots. The biosynthetic steps required to complete the naphthalene ring of shikonin and its mechanism of secretion remain unclear. Multiple omics studies identified several candidate genes involved in shikonin production. The functions of these genes can be evaluated using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) systems, which have been shown advantageous in introducing iRNA genes into non-model plants. This study describes the development of a VIGS system using an apple latent spherical virus (ALSV) vector and a target gene, phytoene desaturase (LePDS1). Virus particles packaged in Nicotiana benthamiana were inoculated into L. erythrorhizon seedlin

SUBMITTER: Izuishi Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7421898 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature