Transcription Validation of novel genes in Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis)

FAY J.V.; S. LITWINIUK; L. TALAVERA STEFANI; C. ROJAS; C. ARGÜELLES; MM. MIRETTI

Foz do Iguazú, Paraná Brasil

Congreso; 11th International Congress of Plant Molecular; 2015

Sociedad Brasilera de Genteica

Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis, Aquifolicaceae) manufacturing has a major economic and culturalrelevance in southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. Argentina produces 85 % of the totalharvest with more than 90% of Yerba Mate (YM) produced in Misiones. Recent evidence indicatesantioxidant activity of phenolic compounds and significant in cholesterol levels decrease associated withregular YM infusion. Despite its potential in biomedical biotechnology, little is known about the YMgenomic features and experimentally validated gene expression assays. Here we present thetranscription validation of previously unidentified genes in the YM genome. The aim of this work was toselect a set of active genes expressed in different plant tissue and experimentally validate theirtranscriptional activity. Eight novel transcript sequences derived from our global YM transcription profileexperiment were selected for validation. Total RNA was extracted from leaves and roots, and cDNAsynthesised by reverse transcription. Selected PCR primers generated single specific amplicons of theexpected size. Purified PCR fragments´ DNA sequence were obtained by Sanger sequencing and analysedusing BLASTn against public data deposited in GenBank. Results confirmed transcription in leaves and/orroots of genes involved in photosynthesis (such as PC, OEE), in stress response ( LT, PX, MAL, MET), andin general cell cycle activity (UBQ, TUA). In this report we demonstrate transcription activity of genesinvolved in key metabolic pathways that have not previously been reported in YM. These results arecritical to further investigate the role of these genes in YM production, disease resistance andbiotechnology.