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Title: MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF DELTA-9 DESATURASE FROM TWO SHARPSHOOTERS, HOMALODISCA COAGULATA AND ONCOMETOPIA NIGRICANS (HEMIPTERA: CICADELLIDAE)

Author
item Katsar, Catherine
item Hunter, Wayne
item TIPPING, C - UNIV. OF FLORIDA
item MIZELL, RUSS - UNIV. OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: International Auchenorrhyncha Congress
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/2/2005
Publication Date: 8/8/2005
Citation: Katsar, C.S., Hunter, W.B., Tipping, C., Mizell, R. 2005. Molecular characterization of Delta-9 Desaturase from two sharpshooters, Homalodisca Coagulata and Oncometopia Nigricans (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Joint 12th International Auchenorrhyncha Congress and 6th International Workshop on Leafhoppers and Planthoppers of Economic Importance. August 8-12, 2005. Berkely, CA. Paper No. P-14.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Insects depend on lipids for food storage, pheromone production, and many other aspects of growth. We report the isolation and characterization of a delta-9 desaturase from two sharpshooter leafhoppers, the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata, and the black-winged sharpshooter, Oncometopia nigricans. These two leafhoppers are known to transmit Pierce’s Disease of grapes, a bacterial pathogen which also infects many other crops such as, alfalfa, almonds, oleander, peach, plum, and citrus. Isolation of the cDNA showed that it encoded a 367 amino acid protein belonging to ‘Family 1’ of the ProDomain fatty acid desaturases. Conserved sequence patterns and comparison to other proteins within the Desaturases confirmed that these were delta 9 desaturase-1 with a preference for a 16-carbon chain structure. While these leafhopper desaturase proteins appear to have three similar structural domains to other known desaturase proteins they had enough significant differences from the previously established desaturase crystalline structures to separate out into a Hemiptera-specific grouping. Desaturases play important roles in lipid production and utilization important processes in leafhopper survival. Understanding how desaturase proteins function will aid researchers to develop better management strategies.