Bio/Technology
9, 635 - 639 (1991)
doi:10.1038/nbt0791-635
Using Antisense RNA to Study Gene Function: Inhibition of Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Transgenic TomatoesColin R. Bird1, John A. Ray1, Jonathon D. Fletcher1, Jeremy M. Boniwell1, Alison S. Bird1, Chantal Teulieres1, Ian Blain2, Peter M. Bramley2
& Wolfgang Schuch1, *
1ICI Seeds, Plant Biotechnology Section, Jealott's Hill Research Station, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 6EY, U.K.
2Department of Biochemistry, Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, U.K.
*Corresponding author. Transgenic tomato plants expressing antisense RNA to a ripening related gene (pTOM5) have yellow ripening fruit and pale colored flowers. The yellow fruit color is correlated with a severe reduction in the level of the pTOMS gene mRNA during fruit ripening. The level of carotenoids in ripening fruit from selected transgenic plants showing yellow fruit was reduced by more than 97 percent. In addition, the carotenoid lycopene, which is primarily responsible for the red color of ripening fruit, was reduced to undetectable levels (<0.1%). These data indicate that the pTOM5 gene is crucial to tomato fruit carotenoid biosynthesis.
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