Abstract
Transgenic Nicotiana tabacum plants expressing Aspergillus niger β-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) gene (BGL1) in different subcellular compartments [cell wall (Tcw), endoplasmic reticulum (Ter), and vacuole (Tvc)] were analyzed to study the effects of BGL1 localization on plant growth and plant-insect interaction. Transgenic and non-transgenic plants were grown and characterized in a greenhouse with 25/16 °C day/night temperatures and natural sunlight. Plant insecticidal activity was analyzed with adult whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) in vial and cage experiments. Compared with wild-type controls, Ter and Tvc transgenic plants did not differ significantly in seed germination, plant growth rate, plant height, or flowering time. However, in Tcw seed germination and beginning of flowering were significantly delayed, and leaf area and plant fresh weight were significantly reduced. Transgenic plants had a marked insecticidal effect on whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) and on Diptera spp. flies. The density of secretory glandular trichomes was significantly greater in transgenic than in wild-type leaves. This work indicates that hydrolysis of yet to be identified glycosides, may play an important role in plant insect resistance mechanism and plant trichome development.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1175-1181 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Plant Science |
| Volume | 172 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 2007 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We would like to acknowledge the Eugine and Edith Schoenberger Foundation for the financial support of our research. We are grateful to Ms. T. Marci of the Biotechnology Center and Ms. N. Bahat of the Central Laboratory of this faculty for their technical assistance in the GC–MS and SEM analysis.
Keywords
- Bemisia tabaci
- Nicotiana tabacum
- Plant-insect interactions
- Trichome
- β-Glucosidase