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Jiménez J, Kemmerer M, King GF, Polston JE, Bonning BC. Coat protein of a whitefly-vectored plant virus as a delivery system to target whitefly. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14468. [PMID: 38635158 PMCID: PMC11025618 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The sweet potato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is responsible for significant crop losses and presents one of the greatest challenges for global agricultural pest management. Management of whitefly populations and associated plant viral diseases is hindered by widespread whitefly resistance to chemical insecticides. An alternative control approach involves the use of insect-specific neurotoxins, but these require delivery from the whitefly gut into the haemocoel. Here we demonstrate that the coat protein (CP) of a begomovirus, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, is sufficient for delivery of fused proteins into the whitefly haemocoel without virion assembly. Following feeding on the recombinant CP-P-mCherry fusion (where -P- is a proline-rich linker), mCherry fluorescence was detected in the dorsal aorta and pericardial cells of the whitefly, but not in those of whitefly fed on negative control treatments, indicating effective CP-mediated delivery of mCherry into the whitefly haemocoel. Significant mortality was observed in whiteflies fed on a fusion of CP-P to the insect-specific neurotoxin Hv1a, but not in whiteflies fed on CP-P fused to a disarmed Hv1a mutant. Begomovirus coat protein - insect neurotoxin fusions hold considerable potential for transgenic resistance to whitefly providing valuable tools for whitefly management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Jiménez
- Department of Entomology and NematologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
- Present address:
Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICA‐CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Mariah Kemmerer
- Department of Entomology and NematologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
- Present address:
Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of DelawareNewarkDelawareUSA
| | - Glenn F. King
- Centre for Future Medicines, Institute for Molecular BioscienceThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein ScienceThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Jane E. Polston
- Department of Plant PathologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Bryony C. Bonning
- Department of Entomology and NematologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
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Li Y, Cai L, Ding T, Tian E, Yan X, Wang X, Zhang J, Yu K, Chen Z. Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Molecular Basis of Brassica napus in Response to Aphid Stress. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2855. [PMID: 37571009 PMCID: PMC10421284 DOI: 10.3390/plants12152855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Rapeseed is a globally important economic crop that can be severely impacted by aphids. However, our understanding of rapeseed resistance to aphid stress is very limited. In this study, we analyzed the resistance characteristics of the low aphid-susceptible variety APL01 and the highly aphid-susceptible variety Holly in response to aphid stress. APL01 had a more significant inhibitory effect on aphid proliferation compared with Holly during the early stage of inoculation, whereas Holly showed stronger tolerance to aphid stress compared with APL01 during the later stage of inoculation. Through transcriptome, physiological, and gene expression analyses, it was revealed that chitinase activity, catalase activity, calcium signal transduction, and activation of systemic acquired resistance might be involved in aphid resistance in B. napus. The degree of inhibition of photosynthesis in plants under aphid stress directly determines the tolerance of B. napus to aphid stress. Furthermore, four promising candidate genes were screened from eight genes related to rapeseed response to biotic stress through RT-qPCR analysis of gene expression levels. These research findings represent an important step forward in understanding the resistance of rapeseed to aphid stress and provide a solid foundation for the cloning of genes responsible for this resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhong Li
- College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (Y.L.); (L.C.); (T.D.); (E.T.)
| | - Lei Cai
- College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (Y.L.); (L.C.); (T.D.); (E.T.)
- Center for Research and Development of Fine Chemical, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Ting Ding
- College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (Y.L.); (L.C.); (T.D.); (E.T.)
| | - Entang Tian
- College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (Y.L.); (L.C.); (T.D.); (E.T.)
| | - Xiaohong Yan
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China;
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Institute of Industrial Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Cotton and Rapeseed, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China; (X.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jiefu Zhang
- Institute of Industrial Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Cotton and Rapeseed, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China; (X.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Kunjiang Yu
- College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (Y.L.); (L.C.); (T.D.); (E.T.)
- Center for Research and Development of Fine Chemical, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Guangxi Tianyuan Biochemical Co., Ltd., Nanning 530009, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Center for Research and Development of Fine Chemical, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
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3
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Ho TNT, Turner A, Pham SH, Nguyen HT, Nguyen LTT, Nguyen LT, Dang TT. Cysteine-rich peptides: From bioactivity to bioinsecticide applications. Toxicon 2023; 230:107173. [PMID: 37211058 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Greater levels of insect resistance and constraints on the use of current pesticides have recently led to increased crop losses in agricultural production. Further, the health and environmental impacts of pesticides now restrict their application. Biologics based on peptides are gaining popularity as efficient crop protection agents with low environmental toxicity. Cysteine-rich peptides (whether originated from venoms or plant defense substances) are chemically stable and effective as insecticides in agricultural applications. Cysteine-rich peptides fulfill the stability and efficacy requirements for commercial uses and provide an environmentally benign alternative to small-molecule insecticides. In this article, cysteine-rich insecticidal peptide classes identified from plants and venoms will be highlighted, focusing on their structural stability, bioactivity and production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thao N T Ho
- Institute of Applied Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - A Turner
- Molecular Biology Department, University of Texas, 100 E 24th St. Austin, USA
| | - Son H Pham
- Institute of Applied Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Ha T Nguyen
- National Key Laboratory of Polymer and Composite Materials, Department of Energy Materials, Faculty of Materials Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Linh T T Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, 280 an Duong Vuong Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Luan T Nguyen
- National Key Laboratory of Polymer and Composite Materials, Department of Energy Materials, Faculty of Materials Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Tien T Dang
- Institute of Applied Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
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Kumari P, Jasrotia P, Kumar D, Kashyap PL, Kumar S, Mishra CN, Kumar S, Singh GP. Biotechnological Approaches for Host Plant Resistance to Insect Pests. Front Genet 2022; 13:914029. [PMID: 35719377 PMCID: PMC9201757 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.914029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Annually, the cost of insect pest control in agriculture crosses billions of dollars around the world. Until recently, broad-spectrum synthetic pesticides were considered as the most effective means of pest control in agriculture. However, over the years, the overreliance on pesticides has caused adverse effects on beneficial insects, human health and the environment, and has led to the development of pesticide resistant insects. There is a critical need for the development of alternative pest management strategies aiming for minimum use of pesticides and conservation of natural enemies for maintaining the ecological balance of the environment. Host plant resistance plays a vital role in integrated pest management but the development of insect-resistant varieties through conventional ways of host plant resistance takes time, and is challenging as it involves many quantitative traits positioned at various loci. Biotechnological approaches such as gene editing, gene transformation, marker-assisted selection etc. in this direction have recently opened up a new era of insect control options. These could contribute towards about exploring a much wider array of novel insecticidal genes that would otherwise be beyond the scope of conventional breeding. Biotechnological interventions can alter the gene expression level and pattern as well as the development of transgenic varieties with insecticidal genes and can improve pest management by providing access to novel molecules. This review will discuss the emerging biotechnological tools available to develop insect-resistant engineered crop genotypes with a better ability to resist the attack of insect pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pritam Kumari
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, India
- CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India
| | - Poonam Jasrotia
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, India
| | - Deepak Kumar
- CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India
| | - Prem Lal Kashyap
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, India
| | - Satish Kumar
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, India
| | | | - Sudheer Kumar
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, India
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Rivera-de-Torre E, Rimbault C, Jenkins TP, Sørensen CV, Damsbo A, Saez NJ, Duhoo Y, Hackney CM, Ellgaard L, Laustsen AH. Strategies for Heterologous Expression, Synthesis, and Purification of Animal Venom Toxins. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 9:811905. [PMID: 35127675 PMCID: PMC8811309 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.811905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms are complex mixtures containing peptides and proteins known as toxins, which are responsible for the deleterious effect of envenomations. Across the animal Kingdom, toxin diversity is enormous, and the ability to understand the biochemical mechanisms governing toxicity is not only relevant for the development of better envenomation therapies, but also for exploiting toxin bioactivities for therapeutic or biotechnological purposes. Most of toxinology research has relied on obtaining the toxins from crude venoms; however, some toxins are difficult to obtain because the venomous animal is endangered, does not thrive in captivity, produces only a small amount of venom, is difficult to milk, or only produces low amounts of the toxin of interest. Heterologous expression of toxins enables the production of sufficient amounts to unlock the biotechnological potential of these bioactive proteins. Moreover, heterologous expression ensures homogeneity, avoids cross-contamination with other venom components, and circumvents the use of crude venom. Heterologous expression is also not only restricted to natural toxins, but allows for the design of toxins with special properties or can take advantage of the increasing amount of transcriptomics and genomics data, enabling the expression of dormant toxin genes. The main challenge when producing toxins is obtaining properly folded proteins with a correct disulfide pattern that ensures the activity of the toxin of interest. This review presents the strategies that can be used to express toxins in bacteria, yeast, insect cells, or mammalian cells, as well as synthetic approaches that do not involve cells, such as cell-free biosynthesis and peptide synthesis. This is accompanied by an overview of the main advantages and drawbacks of these different systems for producing toxins, as well as a discussion of the biosafety considerations that need to be made when working with highly bioactive proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre, ; Andreas H. Laustsen,
| | - Charlotte Rimbault
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Timothy P. Jenkins
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Christoffer V. Sørensen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anna Damsbo
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Natalie J. Saez
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Yoan Duhoo
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Celeste Menuet Hackney
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Ellgaard
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas H. Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre, ; Andreas H. Laustsen,
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Chung SH, Bigham M, Lappe RR, Chan B, Nagalakshmi U, Whitham SA, Dinesh‐Kumar SP, Jander G. A sugarcane mosaic virus vector for rapid in planta screening of proteins that inhibit the growth of insect herbivores. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:1713-1724. [PMID: 33763921 PMCID: PMC8428830 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) is a notorious pest that threatens maize production worldwide. Current control measures involve the use of chemical insecticides and transgenic maize expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins. Although additional transgenes have confirmed insecticidal activity, limited research has been conducted in maize, at least partially due to the technical difficulty of maize transformation. Here, we describe implementation of a sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) vector for rapidly testing the efficacy of both endogenous maize genes and heterologous genes from other organisms for the control of S. frugiperda in maize. Four categories of proteins were tested using the SCMV vector: (i) maize defence signalling proteins: peptide elicitors (Pep1 and Pep3) and jasmonate acid conjugating enzymes (JAR1a and JAR1b); (ii) maize defensive proteins: the previously identified ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP2) and maize proteinase inhibitor (MPI), and two proteins with predicted but unconfirmed anti-insect activities, an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) and a lectin (JAC1); (iii) lectins from other plant species: Allium cepa agglutinin (ACA) and Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA); and (iv) scorpion and spider toxins: peptides from Urodacus yaschenkoi (UyCT3 and UyCT5) and Hadronyche versuta (Hvt). In most cases, S. frugiperda larval growth was reduced by transient SCMV-mediated overexpression of genes encoding these proteins. Additionally, experiments with a subset of the SCMV-expressed genes showed effectiveness against two aphid species, Rhopalosiphum maidis (corn leaf aphid) and Myzus persicae (green peach aphid). Together, these results demonstrate that SCMV vectors are a rapid screening method for testing the efficacy and insecticidal activity of candidate genes in maize.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ryan R. Lappe
- Department of Plant Pathology and MicrobiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIAUSA
| | - Barry Chan
- Department of Plant Biology and The Genome CenterCollege of Biological SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCAUSA
| | - Ugrappa Nagalakshmi
- Department of Plant Biology and The Genome CenterCollege of Biological SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCAUSA
| | - Steven A. Whitham
- Department of Plant Pathology and MicrobiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIAUSA
| | - Savithramma P. Dinesh‐Kumar
- Department of Plant Biology and The Genome CenterCollege of Biological SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCAUSA
| | - Georg Jander
- Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant ResearchIthacaNYUSA
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7
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Expression of Pinellia ternata leaf agglutinin under rolC promoter confers resistance against a phytophagous sap sucking aphid, Myzus persicae. ELECTRON J BIOTECHN 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejbt.2020.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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8
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Kemmerer M, Bonning BC. Transcytosis of Junonia coenia densovirus VP4 across the gut epithelium of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 27:22-32. [PMID: 29704325 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The Junonia coenia densovirus rapidly traverses the gut epithelium of the host lepidopteran without replicating in the gut cells. The ability of this virus to transcytose across the gut epithelium is of interest for the potential use of virus structural proteins as delivery vehicles for insecticidal peptides that act within the insect hemocoel, rather than in the gut. In this study, we used fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda to examine the binding of the virus to brush border membrane vesicle proteins by two-dimensional ligand blot analysis. We also assessed the rate of flux of the primary viral structural protein, VP4 fused to eGFP with a proline-rich linker (VP4-P-eGFP) through the gut epithelium ex vivo in an Ussing chamber. The mechanisms involved with transcytosis of VP4-P-eGFP were assessed by use of inhibitors. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and eGFP were used as positive and negative control proteins, respectively. In contrast to BSA, which binds to multiple proteins on the brush border membrane, VP4-P-eGFP binding was specific to a protein of high molecular mass. Protein flux was significantly higher for VP4-P-eGFP after 2 h than for albumin or eGFP, with rapid transcytosis of VP4-P-eGFP within the first 30 min. In contrast to BSA which transcytosed following clathrin-mediated endocytosis, the movement of VP4-P-eGFP was vesicle-mediated but clathrin-independent. The specificity of binding combined with the efficiency of transport across the gut epithelium suggest that VP4 will provide a useful carrier for insecticidal peptides active within the hemocoel of key lepidopteran pests including S. frugiperda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariah Kemmerer
- Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Bryony C Bonning
- Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
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9
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King GF. Tying pest insects in knots: the deployment of spider-venom-derived knottins as bioinsecticides. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2019; 75:2437-2445. [PMID: 31025461 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Spider venoms are complex chemical arsenals that contain a rich variety of insecticidal toxins. However, the major toxin class in many spider venoms is disulfide-rich peptides known as knottins. The knotted three-dimensional fold of these mini-proteins provides them with exceptional chemical and thermal stability as well as resistance to proteases. In contrast with other bioinsecticides, which are often slow-acting, spider knottins are fast-acting neurotoxins. In addition to being potently insecticidal, some knottins have exceptional taxonomic selectivity, being lethal to key agricultural pests but innocuous to vertebrates and beneficial insects such as bees. The intrinsic oral activity of these peptides, combined with the ability of aerosolized knottins to penetrate insect spiracles, has enabled them to be developed commercially as eco-friendly bioinsecticides. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that spider-knottin transgenes can be used to engineer faster-acting entomopathogens and insect-resistant crops. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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10
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Rauf I, Javaid S, Naqvi RZ, Mustafa T, Amin I, Mukhtar Z, Jander G, Mansoor S. In-planta expression of insecticidal proteins provides protection against lepidopteran insects. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6745. [PMID: 31043622 PMCID: PMC6494996 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41833-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of advanced biotechnological control strategies opens a new era of environment friendly pest management. The current study is part of such an effort, in which we developed a control strategy based on gene pyramiding that confers broad-spectrum resistance against lepidopteran (Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura) and hemipteran (Myzus persicae, Phenacoccus solenopsis, and Bemisia tabaci) insect pests. Previously, we reported a double gene construct expressing Hvt and lectin in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants under phloem specific promoters which confers resistance against hemipteran insects. Here we extended our studies by evaluating the advanced generation of these tobacco plants expressing hvt-lectin against lepidopteran insects. Tobacco plants expressing both toxins were tested against H. armigera and S. litura. Insect bioassay results showed 100% mortality of H. armigera within 48-72 hours and 100% mortality of S. litura within 72-96 hours. Our results suggest that the use of both toxins as a gene pyramiding strategy to control both lepidopteran and hemipterans insects on commercial basis to reduce the use of chemical pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Rauf
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
- Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shaista Javaid
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
- Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Lahore Main Campus, Defense Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Rubab Zahra Naqvi
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Tanveer Mustafa
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Imran Amin
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Zahid Mukhtar
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Georg Jander
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Shahid Mansoor
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
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11
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Saez NJ, Herzig V. Versatile spider venom peptides and their medical and agricultural applications. Toxicon 2018; 158:109-126. [PMID: 30543821 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.11.298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Spiders have been evolving complex and diverse repertoires of peptides in their venoms with vast pharmacological activities for more than 300 million years. Spiders use their venoms for prey capture and defense, hence they contain peptides that target both prey (mainly arthropods) and predators (other arthropods or vertebrates). This includes peptides that potently and selectively modulate a range of targets such as ion channels, receptors and signaling pathways involved in physiological processes. The contribution of these targets in particular disease pathophysiologies makes spider venoms a valuable source of peptides with potential therapeutic use. In addition, peptides with insecticidal activities, used for prey capture, can be exploited for the development of novel bioinsecticides for agricultural use. Although we have already reviewed potential applications of spider venom peptides as therapeutics (in 2010) and as bioinsecticides (in 2012), a considerable number of research articles on both topics have been published since, warranting an updated review. Here we explore the most recent research on the use of spider venom peptides for both medical and agricultural applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J Saez
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Volker Herzig
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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12
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Expression of hybrid fusion protein (Cry1Ac::ASAL) in transgenic rice plants imparts resistance against multiple insect pests. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8458. [PMID: 29855556 PMCID: PMC5981619 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26881-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To evolve rice varieties resistant to different groups of insect pests a fusion gene, comprising DI and DII domains of Bt Cry1Ac and carbohydrate binding domain of garlic lectin (ASAL), was constructed. Transgenic rice lines were generated and evaluated to assess the efficacy of Cry1Ac::ASAL fusion protein against three major pests, viz., yellow stem borer (YSB), leaf folder (LF) and brown planthopper (BPH). Molecular analyses of transgenic plants revealed stable integration and expression of the fusion gene. In planta insect bioassays on transgenics disclosed enhanced levels of resistance compared to the control plants. High insect mortality of YSB, LF and BPH was observed on transgenics compared to that of control plants. Furthermore, honeydew assays revealed significant decreases in the feeding ability of BPH on transgenic plants as compared to the controls. Ligand blot analysis, using BPH insects fed on cry1Ac::asal transgenic rice plants, revealed a modified receptor protein-binding pattern owing to its ability to bind to additional receptors in insects. The overall results authenticate that Cry1Ac::ASAL protein is endowed with remarkable entomotoxic effects against major lepidopteran and hemipteran insects. As such, the fusion gene appears promising and can be introduced into various other crops to control multiple insect pests.
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13
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Expression of the Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) gene in transgenic potato plants confers resistance to aphids. C R Biol 2016; 340:7-12. [PMID: 27938939 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2016.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 10/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aphids, the largest group of sap-sucking pests, cause significant yield losses in agricultural crops worldwide every year. The massive use of pesticides to combat this pest causes severe damage to the environment, putting in risk the human health. In this study, transgenic potato plants expressing Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) gene were developed using CaMV 35S and ST-LS1 promoters generating six transgenic lines (35S1-35S3 and ST1-ST3 corresponding to the first and second promoter, respectively). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that the GNA gene was expressed in leaves, stems and roots of transgenic plants under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter, while it was only expressed in leaves and stems under the control of the ST-LS1 promoter. The levels of aphid mortality after 5 days of the inoculation in the assessed transgenic lines ranged from 20 to 53.3%. The range of the aphid population in transgenic plants 15 days after inoculation was between 17.0±1.43 (ST2) and 36.6±0.99 (35S3) aphids per plant, which corresponds to 24.9-53.5% of the aphid population in non-transformed plants. The results of our study suggest that GNA expressed in transgenic potato plants confers a potential tolerance to aphid attack, which appears to be an alternative against the use of pesticides in the future.
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Koramutla MK, Bhatt D, Negi M, Venkatachalam P, Jain PK, Bhattacharya R. Strength, Stability, and cis-Motifs of In silico Identified Phloem-Specific Promoters in Brassica juncea (L.). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:457. [PMID: 27148290 PMCID: PMC4834444 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Aphids, a hemipteran group of insects pose a serious threat to many of the major crop species including Brassica oilseeds. Transgenic strategies for developing aphid-resistant plant types necessitate phloem-bound expression of the insecticidal genes. A few known phloem-specific promoters, in spite of tissue-specific activity fail to confer high level gene-expression. Here, we identified seven orthologues of phloem-specific promoters in B. juncea (Indian mustard), and experimentally validated their strength of expression in phloem exudates. Significant cis-motifs, globally occurring in phloem-specific promoters showed variable distribution frequencies in these putative phloem-specific promoters of B. juncea. In RT-qPCR based gene-expression study promoter of Glutamine synthetase 3A (GS3A) showed multifold higher activity compared to others, across the different growth stages of B. juncea plants. A statistical method employing four softwares was devised for rapidly analysing stability of the promoter-activities across the plant developmental stages. Different statistical softwares ranked these B. juncea promoters differently in terms of their stability in promoter-activity. Nevertheless, the consensus in output empirically suggested consistency in promoter-activity of the six B. juncea phloem- specific promoters including GS3A. The study identified suitable endogenous promoters for high level and consistent gene-expression in B. juncea phloem exudate. The study also demonstrated a rapid method of assessing species-specific strength and stability in expression of the endogenous promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murali Krishna Koramutla
- National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute CampusNew Delhi, India
| | - Deepa Bhatt
- National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute CampusNew Delhi, India
| | - Manisha Negi
- National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute CampusNew Delhi, India
| | | | - Pradeep K. Jain
- National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute CampusNew Delhi, India
| | - Ramcharan Bhattacharya
- National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute CampusNew Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Ramcharan Bhattacharya ;
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