Feeding on Resistant Rice Enhances Expression of OoDAD1 Gene in the Asian Rice Gall Midge

Infestation of the Asian rice gall midge (Orseolia oryzae) triggers interactions leading to survival or mortality of the feeding maggots. If incompatible, apoptosis occurs within the maggots. Deepak K. Sinha of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in India led researchers in studying the likely involvement of a defender against apoptotic cell death gene (DAD1) in the insect response to host defense.

In Asian rice gall midge interactions with a susceptible rice host, the expression levels of OoDAD1 in feeding maggots gradually increased to 3-fold at 96 hours after infestation. In contrast, expression in maggots feeding on a resistant host showed a steep increase of more than 8-fold after only 24 hours after infestation as it tries to combat the host's response to infestation.

The results indicate that the expression of OoDAD1 is triggered in feeding maggots by the host resistance response. It was found crucial in the initial stages of the interaction between the midge and its rice host.

For more information on the study, read the full article in BMC Plant Biology.