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Bacillus thuringiensis protein transfer between rootstock and scion of grafted poplar
Author(s) -
Wang L.,
Yang M.,
Akinnagbe A.,
Liang H.,
Wang J.,
Ewald D.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
plant biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.871
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1438-8677
pISSN - 1435-8603
DOI - 10.1111/j.1438-8677.2011.00555.x
Subject(s) - cry1ac , biology , bacillus thuringiensis , rootstock , phloem , xylem , botany , horticulture , transgene , genetically modified crops , gene , biochemistry , bacteria , genetics
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ac protein is a toxin against different leaf‐eating lepidopteran insects that attack poplar trees. In the present study, the mode of migration of the Bt‐Cry1Ac protein within poplar grafts was investigated. Grafting was done using Pb29 (transgenic poplar 741 with cry1Ac genes), CC71 (transgenic poplar 741 with cry3A genes), non‐transgenic poplar 741 and non‐transgenic Populus tomentosa , either as scion or as rootstock. In order to detect migration of Bt‐Cry1Ac protein from one portion of the graft union to different tissues in the grafted plant, ELISA analysis was employed to assess the content of Bt‐Cry1Ac protein in the phloem, xylem, pith and leaves of the grafted poplar. To further verify migration of Bt‐Cry1Ac protein, Clostera anachoreta larvae, which are susceptible to Bt‐Cry1Ac protein, were fed leaves from the control graft ( i.e ., graft portion that originally did not contain Bt‐Cry1Ac protein). The results showed that Bt‐Cry1Ac protein was transported between rootstock and scion mainly through the phloem. Migration of Bt‐Cry1Ac protein in the grafted union was also evidenced in that the leaves of the control graft did have a lethal effect on C. anachoreta larvae in laboratory feeding experiments.