Modifying gene expression in plants with a spray (IMAGE)
Caption
(Left) Schematic of the process. A bioactive molecule (like DNA or RNA) is combined with a peptide nanocarrier (a cell-penetrating peptide, CPP) in an aqueous solution and then sprayed onto plant leaves with a spray atomizer. This technique can alter gene expression without altering the genes themselves. (Right) Evidence that the system can be used to promote gene expression. Blue staining can be seen after spraying with a plasma DNA/CPP complex containing the GUS reporter gene. Note the upper leaf without any blue staining. This leaf was sprayed with a solution that contained the plasma DNA but not the peptide carrier.
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RIKEN
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