A convenient, reliable and directly visual selection marker for identifying transgenic lines of Solanum nigrum

Key message The Solanum nigrum material collected is insensitive to kanamycin. AcMYB110 could be used as a convenient, reliable and directly visual selection marker in the genetic transformation of S. nigrum. Solanum nigrum L. is an annual herb of Solanaceae and Solanum genus. S. nigrum has not been domesticated. S. nigrum produces a small, spherical, black, highly nutritious edible fruit. To achieve the potential of large-scale production of S. nigrum fruits, it is necessary to improve undesirable characteristics, such as tiny fruits, by using available methods of genetic engineering and gene editing. The genetic transformation system of S. nigrum is the basis for genetic improvement through transgenic and gene-editing technology. The S. nigrum materials we collected are insensitive to kanamycin. The efficiency of positive transgenic plants screened was relatively low when kanamycin medium was used for screening. The R2R3-MYB transcription factor AcMYB110 from kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) was used as a foreign gene to transform S. nigrum. The results showed that anthocyanin was accumulated in the transformed cells and tissues, which could visually track and monitor each stage of the transformation process. AcMYB110 could be used as a convenient, reliable and directly visual selection marker in the genetic transformation of S. nigrum.

Automated summary

The collected Solanum nigrum material is not sensitive to kanamycin. The R2R3-MYB transcription factor AcMYB110 from kiwifruit was used to transform S. nigrum, and the accumulation of anthocyanin in the transformed cells and tissues allowed for direct visual tracking and monitoring of each stage of the transformation process. AcMYB110 can be used as a convenient, reliable and directly visual selection marker in the genetic transformation of S. nigrum.