Protein from Pathogenic Bacterium Confers Insect Resistance in Tobacco

Xenorhabdus nematophila is a pathogenic bacterium that secretes XnGroEL protein, which is harmful to its larval prey. Oral ingestion of insecticidal XnGroEL protein is toxic to cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), leading to termination of growth and development of the larvae. Punam Kumari from Jawaharlal Nehru University in India and colleagues developed transgenic tobacco plants expressing the protein through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and tested the insecticidal efficacy of XngroEL against cotton bollworm. Various analyses confirmed the integration and expression of the gene coding for XnGroEL.

The transgenic tobacco plants exhibited healthy growth. Bioassays showed significant reduction of 100 percent in the survival of larvae and 55–77 percent reduction in plant damage compared to the non-transgenic and vector control plants. Based on the results, XnGroEL is a novel potential candidate for imparting insect resistance against cotton bollworm in plants.

For more information, visit http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11248-013-9734-3.