Development of immunity against cotton leaf curl virus using antisense AC4 gene

Cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) is a serious threat causing leaf curl disease and affecting the cotton production in major growing areas across the globe. Antisense construct targeting AC4 gene was developed in suitable vector and transgenic Nicotiana tabacum plants were raised using this construct following Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation. Putative transgenic plants showed no visible changes. Molecular confirmation of the transformants was carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot hybridization. Upon inoculation with whiteflies harboring virus, the developed transgenic plants remained symptomless. In conclusion, this study highlighted Antisense AC4 technology as an effective tool to develop resistance against cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD).