A rapid Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transient expression for assessing sgRNA efficiency in CRISPR-Act3.0 in tomato.
Mostafa K, Scarano A, Abdulla MF, Hacıkamiloğlu S, Kurt O
Crispr
PubMedFaster gene-editing validation means plant scientists can more quickly breed tomatoes and other crops with improved nutritional profiles, healthier oils, or better resilience — getting better food to your table sooner.
Researchers found a shortcut for testing whether their gene-activation tools actually work in tomato plants. Instead of waiting years to grow fully modified plants, they used a common soil bacterium to temporarily switch on specific genes in tomato roots within just 30 days. This let them confirm that the targeted genes — ones that control the types of fats the plant makes — responded as expected, boosting one particular fat by nearly half.
Key Findings
The system validated gene-editing tool efficiency in tomato roots in approximately 30 days, compared to the months or years required for stable plant transformation.
Palmitic acid levels increased by up to 45% when fatty acid biosynthesis genes (SlFATA, SlFATB-01, SlFATB-02, SlFATB-03) were activated.
Using a root-specific promoter (pSMB) confined genetic activation to root tissue, preventing unintended effects on the rest of the plant.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Scientists developed a faster, cheaper way to test gene-editing tools in tomato plants, cutting the validation time to about 30 days. Using a soil bacterium, they activated tomato genes involved in fat production and successfully increased a specific fatty acid (palmitic acid) by up to 45%.
Abstract Preview
CRISPR-Act3.0 is a robust tool for modulating fatty acid profiles in plants. We demonstrate that Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation provides a rapid, cost-effective, and equipment-ind...
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The tomato is a plant whose fruit is an edible berry that is eaten as a vegetable. The tomato is a member of the nightshade family that includes tobacco, potato, and chili peppers. It originated from western South America, and may have been domesticated there, in Mexico, or in Central America. Th...