Effects of seven RNA silencing suppressors on heterologous expression of green fluorescence protein expression mediated by a plant virus-based system in Nicotiana benthamiana

Abstract

Abstract: ObjectiveTo test the effects of7virus-encoded RNA silencing suppressors (RSSs) for enhancement of a plant
virus-based vector system-mediated heterologous expression of green fluorescence protein (GFP) inNicotiana benthamiana.
MethodsSeven transient expression vectors for the7RSSs were constructed and co-inoculated on the leaves ofNicotiana
benthamiana with PVXdt-GFP vector, a novelPotato virusX-based plant expression vector, through agroinfiltration. The
protein and mRNA expression levels of the reporter gene GFP in the co-inoculatedNicotianaleaves were examined by Western
blotting, ELISA and RT-qPCR to assess the effect of the RSSs for GFP expression enhancement.ResultsThe7RSSs differed in
the degree and duration of enhancement of heterologous GFP expression, and the p19protein ofTomato bushy stunt virus
(TBSV) induced the highest expression of GFP. African cassava mosaic virusAC2protein andRice yellow mettle virusP1
protein produced no obvious enhancement GFP expression.ConclusionTransient co-expression of RSSs suppresses host
silencing response to allow high-level and long-term expression of heterologous genes in plant, but the optimal RSS has to be
identified for each plant virus-based expression vector system.

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