Question

How does RNA interference help in developing resistance in tobacco plant against nematode infection?

Answer 1

RNA interference (RNAi) helps develop resistance in tobacco plants against nematode infection caused by Meloidogyne incognita. The nematode-specific genes are identified and incorporated into the tobacco plant genome using Agrobacterium tumefaciens as a vector. The modified plant produces both sense and antisense RNA, which hybridize to form double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). This dsRNA triggers RNAi, silencing the nematode’s mRNA by degrading it and blocking translation. As a result, the nematode cannot survive in the transgenic tobacco plant, which becomes resistant to the infection through this post-transcriptional gene silencing mechanism.