RNA interference (RNAi)-induced suppression of nicotine demethylase activity reduces levels of a key carcinogen in cured tobacco leaves |
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Authors: | Lewis Ramsey S Jack Anne M Morris Jerry W Robert Vincent J M Gavilano Lily B Siminszky Balazs Bush Lowell P Hayes Alec J Dewey Ralph E |
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Affiliation: | Department of Crop Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; Philip Morris USA, Richmond, VA 23234, USA |
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Abstract: | Technologies for reducing the levels of tobacco product constituents that may contribute to unwanted health effects are desired. Target compounds include tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), a class of compounds generated through the nitrosation of pyridine alkaloids during the curing and processing of tobacco. Studies have reported the TSNA N '-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) to be carcinogenic in laboratory animals. NNN is formed via the nitrosation of nornicotine, a secondary alkaloid produced through enzymatic N -demethylation of nicotine. Strategies to lower nornicotine levels in tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L.) could lead to a corresponding decrease in NNN accumulation in cured leaves. The major nicotine demethylase gene of tobacco has recently been isolated. In this study, a large-scale field trial was conducted to evaluate transgenic lines of burley tobacco carrying an RNA interference (RNAi) construct designed to inhibit the expression of this gene. Selected transgenic lines exhibited a six-fold decrease in nornicotine content relative to untransformed controls. Analysis of cured leaves revealed a commensurate decrease in NNN and total TSNAs. The inhibition of nicotine demethylase activity is an effective means of decreasing significantly the level of a key defined animal carcinogen present in tobacco products. |
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Keywords: | nicotine demethylase N'-nitrosonornicotine RNA interference tobacco carcinogens tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) |
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