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Resistance to both cyst and root‐knot nematodes conferred by transgenic Arabidopsis expressing a modified plant cystatin
Author(s) -
Urwin Peter E.,
Lilley Catherine J.,
McPherson Michael J.,
Atkinson Howard J.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
the plant journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.058
H-Index - 269
eISSN - 1365-313X
pISSN - 0960-7412
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-313x.1997.12020455.x
Subject(s) - biology , heterodera schachtii , meloidogyne incognita , nematode , genetically modified crops , arabidopsis , heterodera , root knot nematode , fecundity , botany , transgene , agronomy , horticulture , gene , ecology , biochemistry , population , demography , sociology , mutant
Plant nematodes are major pests of agriculture. Transgenic plant technology has been developed based on the use of proteinase inhibitors as nematode anti‐feedants. The approach offers prospects for novel plant resistance and reduced use of environmentally damaging nematicides. A modified rice cystatin, Oc‐IΔD86, expressed as a transgene in Arabidopsis thaliana , has a profound effect on the size and fecundity of females for both Heterodera schachtii (beet‐cyst nematode) and Meloidogyne incognita (root‐knot nematode). No females of either species achieved the minimum size they require for egg production. Ingestion of Oc‐IΔD86 from the plant was correlated with loss of cysteine proteinase activity in the intestine thereby suppressing normal growth, as required of an effective anti‐feedant plant defence.