The Feasibility Analysis of PVX and TRV Vectors as the VIGS Tool for Studying the Gene Function

A method of virus-induced post-transcriptional gene silencing for studying rbcS gene function was established and optimized using tobacco rattle virus vector and potato X virus vector as materials in this study. The following analyses were conducted: phenotypic characterization of rbcS gene silenced plants, transcription levels of rbcS gene by RT-PCR, and protein levels of rbcS by the antibodies of rbcS. For feasibility assessment of the PVX and TRV vectors on the VIGS for studying gene function, the statistical analysis was first employed in which it contained the two-factor variance analysis model and F-test based upon a large amount of data of the response of photosynthetic rates, the photosynthetic active radiation intensity and CO2 concentrations generated from the rbcS silenced and control plants. Our findings suggested that TRV vector was superior to PVX vector.