Specific detection of genetically modified potatoes containing <i>asparagine synthetase-1</i> and <i>polyphenol oxidase 5</i> genes derived from potato

Several genetically modified (GM) potatoes have been developed by introducing endogenous genes derived from potatoes, such as <i>asparagine synthetase-1</i> (<i>Asn1</i>) and <i>polyphenol oxidase 5</i> (<i>Ppo5</i>), to improve quality. Therefore, it is difficult to distinguish between GM and non-GM potatoes. In this study, we developed a sequence-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection method to identify innate and inserted genes. We designed four <i>Asn1</i> gene-specific primers and eight construct-specific detection primers to evaluate GM potatoes (E12, X17, and Y9) and non-GM crops. Consequently, PCR products corresponding to the original endogenous potato genes and the inserted genes were clearly distinguished and simultaneously identified. In addition, the PCR method demonstrated sufficient sensitivity to identify GM content at levels as low as 0.5%. Thus, this study offers an effective detection method for monitoring or screening approved and unapproved GM potato events using <i>Asn1</i> and <i>Ppo5</i> transgenes in foods and feeds.