Gene Knockdown in Plants
Gene knockout refers to the genetic of making inoperative one of a given organism’s genes (Richmond, 2001). In order to know more about genes that have been sequenced, knocking out is normally done. Close comparison carried out between a normal and a gene knocked down organism would definitely make out a difference (Ralf, 2008). Through such comparisons, the difference would enable the observer to know which genes are knocked out. Knocking down is achievable through combination of vast techniques. Firstly, a plasmid is placed in test tube together with other DNA construct followed by a cell culture proceeding. DNA construct process genetically transfects the individual plant cells thereby resulting into a transgenic plant (Martinssen, 2000).
In this case study, the gene responsible for the lighter appearance has been knocked down. As a result, the mutant appears less lighter in comparison to those organisms whose genes are not knocked down. In this situation, the gene responsible for light appearance has been genetically transfected. As a result, a closer look into the two textures portrayed in the pictures 3 and 4 clearly show a difference.
Trough Arabidopsis genomics, isolation of knockout mutants can be done in a more realistic manner. Based on the enzymes knocking out, specific functionalities of the organisms can be made suppressed (Ralf, 2008). The lighter difference realized between the knocked down and the natural plants reveal different metabolic functionalities. Mutants can furthermore be isolated to offer the right starting point for continued productivity (Martinssen, 2000). In order to achieve any desired characteristics in plants, unwanted genes are normally knocked down so as to retain only the required characteristics (Richmond, 2001). The mutants shown in pictures 3 and 4 shows the differences revealed as a result of genetic knockdown of specific genes in charge of brightness.
References
Ralf, R. (2008) Arabidopsis & Physcomitrella: David and Goliath of reverse genetics. Plant Science trends 3, 209-210
Krysan J, Sussman MR. (2009). T‐DNA as an insertional mutagen in Arabidopsis. The Plant Cell11,2283–2290.
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Mengiste T. and Paszkowski J. (2000). Prospects for precise engineering of plant genomes by homologous recombination. Biological Chemistry380, 749–758.
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