The nematode resistance gene Mi of tomato confers resistance against the potato aphid

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998 Aug 18;95(17):9750-4. doi: 10.1073/pnas.95.17.9750.

Abstract

Resistance against the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae previously was observed in tomato and attributed to a novel gene, designated Meu-1, tightly linked to the nematode resistance gene, Mi. Recent cloning of Mi allowed us to determine whether Meu-1 and Mi are the same gene. We show that Mi is expressed in leaves, that aphid resistance is isolate-specific, and that susceptible tomato transformed with Mi is resistant to the same aphid isolates as the original resistant lines. We conclude that Mi and Meu-1 are the same gene and that Mi mediates resistance against both aphids and nematodes, organisms belonging to different phyla. Mi is the first example of a plant resistance gene active against two such distantly related organisms. Furthermore, it is the first isolate-specific insect resistance gene to be cloned and belongs to the nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat family of resistance genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aphids / pathogenicity*
  • Base Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • DNA, Plant / genetics
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes, Plant*
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nematoda / pathogenicity*
  • Plant Leaves / genetics
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Solanum lycopersicum / genetics*
  • Solanum lycopersicum / parasitology*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Plant

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF039681
  • GENBANK/AF039682
  • GENBANK/U81378