Demonstration of interspecific crosses between Nicotiana benthamiana and Nicotiana tabacum for intragenesis and the transient production of valuable small molecules and proteins
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Intragenesis is classified as New Plant Breeding Techniques and agroinfiltration provides a simple, rapid and reproducible technique for transient gene expression. Sexual compatibility is a perquisite for the use of interspecies genetic components. In the present study, genetic crosses between Nicotiana benthamiana and N. tabacum have been achieved and viable progeny obtained. Resulting F 1 progeny were phenotyped and classification into three groups was observed. These phenotypes included N. benthamiana Lab-like phenotypes termed “BEN”, representing 64% of the progeny, while 8% had observable N. tabacum phenotypes termed “TAB”. Finally, 28% represented a hybrid phenotype “HYB”. Male sterility was present in group TAB and HYB. In order to assess the amenability of the progeny to agroinfiltration and to evaluate the potential of the new chassis with increased biomass and growth properties, the transient production of ketocarotenoids was performed. The progeny with BEN phenotypes showed increased ketocarotenoid production (∼1330 μg/g DW) compared to the control (∼550 μg/g DW). However, the increased leaf size found in the TAB and HYB progeny yielded greater ketocarotenoid levels per leaf (∼800 and ∼700 μg/g DW), when compared to the traditional N. benthamiana Lab accession. Further progeny of BEN and clonally propagated HYB were tested, but the beneficial traits for transient expression could only be attributed to the F 1 progeny cultivated from seed. • Cross of N. benthamiana and N. tabacum achieved three types of viable progeny. • F 1 progeny showed different amenability to agroinfiltration. • Transient production of high value small molecules and protein was successful. • F 1 progeny showed increased ketocarotenoid production compared to parents.
Source: Journal of Plant Physiology
Institution: Royal Holloway University of London
Language: English
Subfield: Biotechnology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,370
Awards: EBioAct: Environmentally sustainable production of bioactive triterpenes, G3649505103, G7045976099, 21EngBio: Organelle engineering for the production of useful bioproducts, 21EBTA: Engineering plant cell factories for the production of biomedicines and their ingredients. (Acronym; Celfacto)
OpenAlex ID: W4415015818