Gene Expression Profiling during Life Cycle of Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Tubers by Microarray

Abstract

Microarray was used to investigate the gene expression profile of potato tubers during its complete life cycle. The potato life cycle was divided into 8 different stages and total RNA was isolated and used as probe after labeling of cDNA generated from RNA samples. cDNAs were used to hybridize with potato microarray. Results of this study revealed that there is upregulation of many genes during developing stages (3b, 3c, 3d, 4a, 4b) compared to mature stages (6, 7). Many of those genes regulate growth, storage of protein and sugar, defense, inhibition of various proteinases, and oxidation. Some genes showed upregulation during certain growth stage (4a) compared to other growth stages, whereas, other genes showed upregulation in mature stages (stage 8). Profiling of gene expression during potato life cycle is essential step for enhancing potato for some highly economic traits like tuber nutrition quality, resistance to diseases, or using tubers as source for proteinase inhibitors. Also, this allows for isolation of some genes for biotechnology applications like proteinase inhibitors and improving nutrition and industrial value of tubers.