Teragen Bio Discovers Location of 'Resistance Gene' to Prevent Cabbage Clubroot Disease

Published in the International Genetics Journal 'Frontiers in Genetics'

Comparison of nucleotide sequences between European turnip and Chinese cabbage (1), expression patterns of disease resistance genes identified in turnip (2) (Photo by Teragen Bio)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Theragen Bio announced on the 11th that, in collaboration with the Rural Development Administration, Chungnam National University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Samyook University College of Life Sciences, and the University of Western Australia College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, they decoded the genome of European turnip strains and discovered gene loci that can prevent clubroot disease in cabbage.

Clubroot disease in cabbage is caused by specific pathogens that create galls which absorb nutrients and grow, eventually causing the leaves and stems to wither and die. There is no definitive control method, and due to its high contagiousness, once it occurs, the damage is severe, prompting ongoing related research worldwide.

The research team discovered two gene loci, ‘CRa’ and ‘CRb’, suspected to contain clubroot resistance genes through whole genome sequencing (WGS) of European turnip strains that are resistant to clubroot disease.

The academic community expects that by applying the results of this study, it will be possible to elucidate the functions and expression mechanisms of the clubroot disease genes, also known as ‘cabbage cancer’, and develop fundamental control methods.

A Theragen Bio official stated, “This achievement can be applied to transgenic breeding for cabbage variety improvement, and through follow-up research such as gene function analysis, it can also be applied to other edible crops like cabbage and gat.”

The research results were published in the international genetics journal ‘Frontiers in Genetics (IF 4.27)’.