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

FAY, J.; WATKINS, C.; KRISHNA SHRESTHA, R.; LITWINIUK, S.; ROJAS, C.; ARGÜELLES, C.; MIRETTI, M.

Foz do Iguaçu

Congreso; International Plant Molecular Biology Congress; 2015

International Society for Plan Molecular Biology

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