Insecticidal action of mammalian galectin-1-transfected Arabidopsis thaliana
Journal
Pest management Science
Journal Volume
80
Journal Issue
8
Pages
4024-4033
Date Issued
2024-03
Author(s)
Zhen-Hao Liao
Mei-Jung Tseng
Siou-Hua Wang
Shiang-Jiuun Chen
Shaw-Jye Wu
Rong-Nan Huang
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Galectins (GALs) are a family of mammalian sugar-binding proteins specific for β-galactosides. Our previous studies have shown that the larval development of the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is significantly disturbed when fed with recombinant mammalian galectin 1 (GAL1) derived from Escherichia coli. To further explore its applicability, two GAL1-overexpressed Arabidopsis [GAL1-Arabidopsis (whole plant) and GAL1-Arabidopsis-vas (vascular bundle-specific)] lines were established for insecticidal activity and mechanism studies.
RESULTS
The expression level of GAL1 in transgenic Arabidopsis is 1–0.5% (GAL1-Arabidopsis) and 0.08–0.01% (GAL1-Arabidopsis-vas) of total leaf soluble protein. Survival, body weight, and food consumption significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner in P. xylostella larvae (with chewing mouthparts) fed on GAL1-Arabidopsis. The mortality of Kolla paulula (with piercing-sucking mouthparts and xylem feeder) fed on GAL1-Arabidopsis-vas was also significantly higher than that fed on wild-type Arabidopsis (WT-Arabidopsis), but was lower than that fed on GAL1-Arabidopsis. The histochemical structure and results of immunostaining suggested that the binding of GAL1 to the midgut epithelium of P. xylostella fed on GAL1-Arabidopsis was dose- and time-dependent. Ultrastructural studies further showed the disruption of microvilli, abnormalities in epithelial cells, and fragments of the peritrophic membrane (PM) in P. xylostella larvae fed on GAL1-Arabidopsis.
CONCLUSION
The insecticidal mechanism of GAL1 involves interference with PM integrity and suggests that GAL1 is a potential candidate for bioinsecticide development. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Subjects
bioinsecticide
galectin
Kolla paulula
plutella xylostella
SDGs
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons
Description
We thank Mr. Alexander Barton for kindly revising the English language of the manuscript. This research was funded by grants MOST-109-2311-B-002-033 and NSTC-112-2327-B-041-001 from the Ministry of Science and Technology, National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan. Appreciation also goes to the staff of the Technology Commons in the College of Life Science at the National Taiwan University for their assistance with electron microscopy.
Type
journal article