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ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » Crop Production and Pest Control Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #201465
Title: A Novel Wheat Gene Encoding a Putative Chitin-Binding Lectin is associated with Resistance against Hessian Fly

Author
item GIOVANINI, MARCELO - PURDUE UNIV.
item Saltzmann, Kurt
item PUTOFF, DAVID - USDA-ARS
item GONZALO, MARTIN - PURDUE UNIV.
item OHM, HERBERT - PURDUE UNIV.
item Williams, Christie

Submitted to: Molecular Plant Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/27/2006
Publication Date: 1/15/2007
Citation: Giovanini, M.P., Saltzmann, K.D., Putoff, D., Gonzalo, M., Ohm, H.W., Williams, C.E. 2006. A novel wheat gene encoding a putative chitin-binding lectin is associated with resistance against Hessian fly. Molecular Plant Pathology. 8:69-82.

Interpretive Summary: Little is known about mechanisms of resistance utilized by wheat when attacked by Hessian fly. A wheat germ agglutinin-like gene was found to be up-regulated 3000-fold in resistant plants. Although the mRNA also increased slightly in abundance in susceptible plants, the protein was detected only in resistant plants. The protein was also detected inside the larvae, indicating that they had ingested it. These results are important to other scientists studying plant resistance against insects because this potentially insecticidal gene may be used in transgenic plants to confer resistance to other pests.

Technical Abstract: • The gene-for-gene interaction triggering resistance of wheat against the Hessian fly utilizes specialized defense response genes not previously identified in other interactions with pests or pathogens. • The expression of Hfr-3, a gene encoding a novel wheat germ agglutinin-like protein, was characterized by sequencing, qRT-PCR, western blots and genetic mapping. • Quantification of Hfr-3 mRNA in the incompatible interaction confirmed a rapid response up to 3000-fold above the uninfested control. mRNA abundance was influenced by the number of larvae per plant, suggesting localized rather than systemic resistance. Hfr-3 was also responsive to bird cherry-oat aphid, but not to other biotic and abiotic factors tested. Within each of four chitin-binding domains, the predicted protein contained five conserved saccharide-binding residues. HFR-3 protein increased in parallel to the mRNA during incompatible interactions and was detected in both virulent and avirulent larvae, indicating ingestion. • Antinutritional proteins, such as lectins, may be responsible for the apparent death by starvation of avirulent Hessian fly larvae during the initial few days of incompatible interactions with resistant wheat plants.