ARS | Publication request: Gene expression regulation of sprout inhibition and water retention genes in potatoes by 1,4-dimethylnapthalene (DMN)

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 13, 2011
Publication Date: August 6, 2011
Citation: Hilldorfer, L.A., Gleichsner, A.M., Campbell, M.A., Suttle, J.C. 2011. Gene expression regulation of sprout inhibition and water retention genes in potatoes by 1,4-dimethylnapthalene (DMN)[abstract.] Plant Biology 2011. Abstract #P14045. Available: http://abstracts.aspb.org/pb2011/public/P14/P14045.html.

Technical Abstract: The potato is the fifth largest agricultural crop in the world and a dietary staple in many cultures. When sprouting, the potato produces the toxin solanine and begins to sweeten, a process that makes the potato undesirable for consumer use. Sprout inhibitors such as 1,4-dimethylnapthalene (DMN) are used to treat stored and shipped potatoes. In order to ascertain the mechanisms in which DMN prevents sprouting were conducted yielding transcriptional profiles for potatoes treated with DMN. The main focus of this analysis was on genes known to be involved with cell cycle regulation. QT-PCR was used to confirm the microarray results. Transcripts for the cell cycle inhibitors KIP1 and KIP2 were increased by DMN exposure. In addition to cell cycle genes, transcripts for expansins and osmotins were also increased following DMN treatments. We hypothesize that DMN's effects on the expansin and osmotin genes may prevent water loss in treated potatoes; therefore DMN may maintain tuber fresh weight during storage and transportation.