Journal
PLANT SCIENCE
Volume 175, Issue 3, Pages 385-393Publisher
ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2008.05.007
Keywords
papaya (Carica papaya L.) transformation; snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) lectin; carmine spider mite (Tetranychus cinnabarinus); plant pest resistance
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) lectin has previously been shown to have anti-feedant and insecticidal activity towards sap-sucking insects. However, its effectiveness against plant-parasitic mites has not been demonstrated. In this study, the commercial papaya (Carica papaya L.) cultivar Kapoho, which is highly susceptible to mites, was transformed with the snowdrop lectin (G. nivalis agglutin [GNA]) gene. Polymerase chain reaction confirmed the presence of the transgene and six independent transformed lines were selected for expression analysis. Western blot analysis showed that the lines expressed a recombinant protein with a molecular weight similar to that of the native snowdrop lectin. Leaf extracts containing the recombinant GNA protein agglutinated trypsinized rabbit erythrocytes thus, showing the GNA protein to be biologically active. ELISA and indirect measurement from the agglutination assay showed there to be variation in GNA expression among the lines produced. A laboratory bioassay using carmine spider mites (Tetranychus cinnabarinus) suggested improved pest resistance in the transgenic papaya plants. This is the first report that a transgenic plant expressing the GNA gene possesses enhanced resistance to a plant-parasitic mite. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available