terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Exogenous dsRNA applications to identify novel candidate susceptibility genes to downy mildew

Exogenous dsRNA applications to identify novel candidate susceptibility genes to downy mildew

Abstract

One of the major threats to viticulture is represented by fungal pathogens. Plasmopara viticola, an oomycete causinggrapevine downy mildew, is one of the principal causes of grape production losses. The most efficient management strategies are represented by a combination of agronomical practices, fungicides’ applications, and use of resistant varieties. Plant resistance is conferred by the presence of resistance (R) genes. Opposed to them, susceptibility (S) genes are encoded by plants and exploited by pathogens to promote infection. Loss or mutation of S genes can limit the ability of pathogens to infect the host. By exploiting post-transcriptional gene silencing, known as RNA intereference (RNAi), it is possible to knock-down the expression of S genes, promoting plant resistance. Gene silencing is induced upon exogenous application of dsRNA, which can interfere with protein synthesis. With the aim of identifying new candidate genes to be employed in breeding programs, three novel candidate S genes to downy mildew, VviLBDIf7, VviAS1 and VviB3, have been identified. Candidates’ validation was carried out through RNAi on the susceptible cultivar Pinot noir. Disease severity was estimated by experimental inoculation of P. viticola on leaves sampled at different timepoints after the treatment with dsRNA, while gene expression was evaluated by real time RT-PCR. Successful downregulation of candidate genes resulted in a significant reduction of plants susceptibility to downy mildew, suggesting our candidates as downy mildew S genes, leading to the possibility of employing an RNAi-based strategy as a more sustainable alternative to conventional management strategies.

DOI:

Publication date: June 13, 2024

Issue: Open GPB 2024

Type: Poster

Authors

Elisabetta Sergi1*, Giuliana Maddalena1, Valentina Ricciardi1, Demetrio Marcianò1, Beatrice Lecchi1, Osvaldo Failla1, Silvia Laura Toffolatti1, Gabriella De Lorenzis1

1 Affliliation Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, via G. Celoria 2, 20133 Milan (Italy)

Contact the author*

Keywords

S genes, RNAi, gene silencing, Plasmopara viticola, Vitis vinifera

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Open GPB | Open GPB 2024

Citation

Related articles…

Influence Of Different Grape Polysaccharides On Phenolic Compounds And Colour Characteristics Of Tempranillo Red Wines

Polysaccharides (PS) are one of the main compounds found in wines, and they come mainly from the grape cell walls or from the yeasts, and they play an important role in the technological and sensory characteristics of wines. Polysaccharides obtained from yeasts have been more studied, especially mannoproteins, since there are commercial products.

Peptidomics in the wine industry: literature perspectives on functional importance and analytical methods

Winemaking is a globally significant industry in the field of food technology (218 mhL of wine estimated for 2024 harvest) [1], which activity produces tons of by-products annually, including pomace (pulp, stems, seeds, skins), lees, organic acids, CO2, and water [2].

Comparison of fortified, sfursat and passito winemaking techniques for the enhancement of the oenological potential of the black grape cultivar Moscato nero d’Acqui (Vitis vinifera L.)

One of the key factors of the economical development of viticulture and wine industry in specific limited areas is the exploitation of ancient, local grape varieties. Therefore, in recent years the growing interest to rediscover minor varieties, previously cultivated, has promoted many studies. With this regard, the focus of this study was the Vitis vinifera L. cultivar Moscato nero d’Acqui, nowadays found only in old vineyards in the Acqui zone (North-West Italy). In particular, the aims of this work were: i) to investigate secondary metabolites profile of the grapes, and ii) to evaluate the attitude to the production of special wines.

Impact of climate change on the viticultural climate of the Protected Designation of Origin “Jumilla” (SE Spain)

Protected Designation of Origin “Jumilla” (PDO Jumilla) is located in the Spanish provinces of Albacete and Murcia, in the South-eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula, where most of the models predict a severe impact of climate change in next decades. PDO Jumilla covers an area of 247,054 hectares, of which more than 22,000 hectares

Determination of target compounds in cava quality using liquid chromatography. Application of chemometric tools in data analysis

According to the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Cava is protected in the quality sparkling wines made by the traditional Champenoise method were the wine realize a second fermentation inside the own bottle1. Geographical and human peculiarities of each bottle are the main way for the final quality2. The aim of this study is to find correlations and which target compounds are the most representative of the quality of two different grape varieties, Pinot Noir and Xarel·lo. The quality of these two types of grapes is being studied for each variety by a previous classification of the vineyard made by the company who provided the samples (qualities A,B,C,D, being A the better one and D the worst one). The target compounds studied are organic acids and polyphenols. The methodology for the determination of organic acids is HPLC-UV/vis and for some of them the enzymatic methodology.