Expression of poplar chitinase in tomato leads to inhibition of development in colorado potato beetle.
Biotechnol Lett
; 28(8): 593-9, 2006 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16614898
ABSTRACT
The previously described poplar chitinase, WIN6, is induced during infestation by gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) larvae, thus suggesting a role in defense against insect pests. To test this hypothesis, we produced tomato seedlings infected with a recombinant potato virus X (PVX), which produces WIN6, and tested its insecticidal properties on Colorado potato beetle [CPB; Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)], which is a serious pest of tomatoes and other crops. The advantage of PVX is that plant material is ready for insect bioassay within 3-4 weeks of constructing the recombinant virus. Considering that production of transgenic tomato seedlings using Agrobacterium takes at least 6 months, this hastens the rate at which genes can be examined. Upon insect bioassay, only 47% CPB neonates feeding on leaves containing >0.3% w/w WIN6 developed to 2nd instar while 93% of controls reached 2nd instar. To our knowledge this is the first plant chitinase that retards development of an insect pest.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Plant Proteins
/
Coleoptera
/
Chitinases
/
Solanum lycopersicum
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Biotechnol Lett
Year:
2006
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Estados Unidos