Genetic transformation of sweet oranges to over-express SABP2 gene

Background The history of the world citrus industry is marked by a series of diseases caused by different etiologic agents. Several of them are characterized as biotrophic pathogens like Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, three Candidatus Liberibacter spp and Citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C). In plant-pathogen interactions, the role of salicylic acid (SA) in activating defense related genes is well recognized [1]. The SABP2 (Salicylic acid-binding protein 2) is required to convert methyl salicylate to SA as part of the signal transduction pathway that activates systemic acquired resistance, induces PR expression, and enhances disease resistance. Due to the reduced or absence of genetic resistance to these pathogens in commercial sweet orange cultivars, the genetic transformation to over-express a gene involved in the defense response of plants is a possible alternative to produce tolerant or resistant plants to biotrophic pathogens.