LAUSR

The translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) has been implicated in naturally-occurring resistance to the Potato Virus Y (PVY) determined by the pot-1 locus in tomato. The susceptible potato varieties Russet Norkotah, Silverton Russet, and Classic Russet, along with the Michigan State University breeding line MSE149-5Y, were transformed with the pot-1 gene from Solanum hirsutum to achieve PVY resistance. Transgenic potato events and their non-transgenic controls were screened for PVY resistance against three PVY strains (PVYO, PVYN:O, PVYNTN) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in greenhouse and in field trials. The event A95.87.05 (Classic Russet) and MSE149.87.22 (MSE149-5Y) had resistance against all three PVY isolates tested in both foliage and tuber under either greenhouse or field conditions. In contrast, SR.87.62 (Silverton Russet) and RN1.87.09 (Russet Norkotah), displayed moderate susceptibility to PVY in foliage during the growing season and increased level of infection in tubers. Transformation of PVY-susceptible potato varieties with the tomato pot-1 gene can be a useful tool for improving PVY resistance.