Expression of Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA-I') from elderberry bark in transgenic tobacco plants results in enhanced resistance to different insect species.
Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum cv Samsun NN) have been transformed with the gene encoding the type-2 ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) SNA-I' from elderberry (Sambucus nigra) under the control of the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S promoter. Previous research confirmed that these plants synthesize, correctly process and assemble a fully active RIP. Variability in protein expression was observed within the transgenic lines. The effects of the type-2 RIP SNA-I' delivered through a leaf feeding assay were evaluated in the laboratory on two economically important pest insects belonging to the orders of Hemiptera, the tobacco aphid (Myzus nicotianae) and Lepidoptera, the beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua). In the experiment with aphids, significant effects were observed on the life parameters, such as survival, intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate, mean generation time and mean daily offspring, whereas with caterpillars significant reduction in fresh weight as well as retardation in development were observed. In addition, significant increases in mortality were noted for insects fed on the transgenic lines as compared to wild type plants. This information provides further support for RIPs having a role in plant resistance to insect pest species.
Shahidi-Noghabi
Shahnaz
S
Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Van Damme
Els J M
EJ
Smagghe
Guy
G
D000373:Agglutinins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D014644:Genetic Variation; D007313:Insecta; D007814:Larva; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D024301:Plant Bark; D018515:Plant Leaves; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000737:chemistry*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics*; D054788:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D027923:Sambucus; D027924:Sambucus nigra / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics*
D000373:Agglutinins; D037121:Plant Lectins; C050600:Sambucus nigra lectins; D054788:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins