Journal article
Development of hypo-allergenic apples: silencing of the major allergen Mal d 1 gene in "Elstar" apple and the effect of grafting
Many people who are allergic to birch pollen are also allergic to apple fruit, due to cross-allergenicity. Since apples are the most extensively consumed fruit in Europe, it is highly relevant to develop a hypo-allergenic apple. Apples with significantly reduced levels of the allergen, Mal d 1, may allow many apple allergics to eat them without an allergic reaction.
We are currently collaborating to develop a hypo-allergenic apple within the European Integrated Research Project, ISAFRUIT (www.isafruit.org). Hypo-allergenic apple plants (Malus x domestica Borkh., 'Elstar') with decreased levels of Mal d 1 mRNA were produced by RNA interference (RNAi) technology.
Ten genetically modified (GM) apple lines were selected. In vitro plantlets were first transferred to a greenhouse, then grafted onto wild-type M.9 rootstock to promote the development of fruit-producing trees. Levels of Mal d 7 gene silencing were measured repeatedly by quantitative real-time PCR. Compared to leaf samples from wild-type 'Elstar', two GM lines showed modest levels of gene silencing (up to 250-fold), whereas the other eight GM lines were significantly silenced (up to 10,000-fold) in Mal d 1 gene expression.
These levels of silencing were unaffected by grafting, and have been stable over more than 3 years, and throughout all developmental stages.
Language: | English |
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Year: | 2009 |
Pages: | 52-57 |
ISSN: | 23804084 and 14620316 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1080/14620316.2009.11512595 |
ORCIDs: | 0000-0003-0609-6317 and Eriksen, Folmer Damsted |