title: Transgenic expression of gallerimycin, a novel antifungal insect defensin from the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella, confers resistance to pathogenic fungi in tobacco.
abstract: A cDNA encoding gallerimycin, a novel antifungal peptide from the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella, was isolated from a cDNA library of genes expressed during innate immune response in the caterpillars. Upon ectopic expression of gallerimycin in tobacco, using Agrobacterium tumefaciens as a vector, gallerimycin conferred resistance to the fungal pathogens Erysiphe cichoracearum and Sclerotinia minor. Quantification of gallerimycin mRNA in transgenic tobacco by real-time PCR confirmed transgenic expression under control of the inducible mannopine synthase promoter. Leaf sap and intercellular washing fluid from transgenic tobacco inhibited in vitro germination and growth of the fungal pathogens, demonstrating that gallerimycin is secreted into intercellular spaces. The feasibility of the use of gallerimycin to counteract fungal diseases in crop plants is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Phytopathology and Applied Zoology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Langen
authors.forename: Jafargholi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Imani
authors.forename: Boran
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Altincicek
authors.forename: Gernot
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kieseritzky
authors.forename: Karl-Heinz
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kogel
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vilcinskas
mesh_terms: D016960:Agrobacterium tumefaciens / Q000235:genetics; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular / Q000379:methods; D003198:Computer Simulation; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D023082:Defensins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009036:Moths / Q000737:chemistry; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D023082:Defensins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C512107:gallerimycin