Genetic engineering of terpenoid metabolism attracts bodyguards to Arabidopsis.
Herbivore-damaged plants release complex mixtures of volatiles that attract natural enemies of the herbivore. To study the relevance of individual components of these mixtures for predator attraction, we manipulated herbivory-induced volatiles through genetic engineering. Metabolic engineering of terpenoids, which dominate the composition of many induced plant volatile bouquets, holds particular promise. By switching the subcellular localization of the introduced sesquiterpene synthase to the mitochondria, we obtained transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants emitting two new isoprenoids. These altered plants attracted carnivorous predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) that aid the plants' defense mechanisms.
Kappers
Iris F
IF
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Post Office Box 8031, 6700 EH Wageningen, Netherlands.
Aharoni
Asaph
A
van Herpen
Teun W J M
TW
Luckerhoff
Ludo L P
LL
Dicke
Marcel
M
Bouwmeester
Harro J
HJ
D000818:Animals; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D031985:Fragaria / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D018390:Gene Targeting; D017343:Genes, Plant; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D006836:Hydro-Lyases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008925:Mites / Q000502:physiology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D010675:Pheromones; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013729:Terpenes / Q000378:metabolism; D014170:Transformation, Genetic
C411254:4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene; D010675:Pheromones; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013729:Terpenes; C010411:insect attractants; D006836:Hydro-Lyases; C092055:S-linalool synthase; C037055:nerolidol