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Submitted to: Potato Association of America Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 7/20/2000 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Prosystemin is a small protein (20 kDa) that is produced in response to insect feeding or wounding. The protein is processed, releasing a small peptide from the carboxy terminus. The small peptide, termed systemin, is mobilized through the phloem. Potato contains two transcripts, potpro1 and potpro2. The transcript for Potpro2 was analyzed by RT-PCR and found to be expressed during infection by Phytophthora infestans. Expression of the gene was localized near the site of infections. The transcript was cloned and used to construct an antimicrobial peptide delivery system. Sequences for a 12 amino acid antimicrobial peptide was introduced into the systemin-encoding region of the transcript. The construct is currently being tested under various promoters to test the ability of the antimicrobial peptide to be effectively released into the phloem of potato. |