Delivery of gene biotechnologies to plants: pathogen and pest control

Authors: METZ, JACKIE - University Of Florida; Hunter, Wayne; SANDOVAL MOJICA, ANDRES - University Of Florida; ALTMAN, SIDNEY - Yale University; BOYLE, MICHAEL - Smithsonian Research Institute; McCollum, Thomas; AISHWARYA, VEENU - Aum Lifetech; PELZ-STELINSKI, KIRSTEN - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Arthropod Management Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/3/2017
Publication Date: 6/8/2017
Citation: Metz, J.L., Hunter, W.B., Sandoval Mojica, A.F., Altman, S., Boyle, M.J., McCollum, T.G., Aishwarya, V., Pelz-Stelinski, K. 2017. Delivery of gene biotechnologies to plants: Pathogen and pest control. In: Proceedings of 10th Arthropod Genomics Symposium, June 8-11, 2017, Notre Dame, Indiana, p. 44-45.

Interpretive Summary: Treatment and reduction of the Citrus plant bacterial pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) in citrus trees, the psyllid endosymbionts, and Asian citrus psyllid survival was successful. The treatment used oligonucleotides FANA_ASO, (2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-D- arabinonucleic acid)_( antisense oligonucleotides- AUM LifeTech). The treatments reduced CLas bacteria within infected citrus trees, reduced Wolbachia in cell cultures and insects. Suppression of endosymbionts resulted in increased psyllid mortality. Bacteria titers were reduced in treated trees on average by 50% at three weeks after treatment. Results suggest significant potential for application of these products as a treatment to reduce pathogens of plants or insect pests, like Citrus greening disease. Supported in-part: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA, Citrus Greening award #2015-70016-23028; and NIFA, USDA, award #2015-10479.

Technical Abstract: Treatment of oligonucleotides to plants for host delivered suppression of microbes and insect pests of citrus was successful. FANA_ASO, (2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-D- arabinonucleic acid)_( antisense oligonucleotides- AUM LifeTech) designed to: Asian citrus psyllid; Citrus plant bacterial pathogen of citrus, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), or Psyllid endosymbiont sequences. Treatments reduced CLas bacteria within infected citrus trees, reduced Wolbachia in cell cultures and insects. Suppression of endosymbionts resulted in increased psyllid mortality. Confocal microscopy and spectrophotometry detection supported systemic movement and cell entry. Bacteria titers were reduced in treated plants on average by 50% (live/dead bioassay) at three weeks post treatment. Results suggest significant potential for application of these products as a treatment to reduce pathogens of plants, or insect pests, like Citrus greening disease. Supported in-part: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA, Citrus Greening award #2015-70016-23028; and NIFA, USDA, award #2015-10479.