Chitinolytic enzymes from Streptomyces albidoflavus expressed in tomato plants: effects on Trichoplusia ni

Abstract

Tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum ) cultivars were transformed with genes that encode bacterial chitinolytic enzymes (i.e., endochitinase and chitobiosidase) from Streptomyces albidoflavus . Transgenic tomato plants producing these enzymes were found to have enhanced resistance to cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), consistently reducing the growth rates of larvae. Mortality was significantly increased in two of three feeding trials. Ingestion of endochitinase and chitobiosidase not only affected development of larval T. ni from neonate to ultimate instar, but they also caused mortality and decreased insect weight when exposure began during the third instar. The results of this study provide some insight into the mode of action of the chitinolytic enzymes, by supporting the hypothesis that ingested chitinolytic enzymes damage the chitin component of the peritrophic envelope, leading to increased permeability. The size of marker molecules (FITC-dextrans) that permeated the peritrophic envelopes of T. ni feeding on transgenic plants were 50% larger than those permeating the peritrophic envelopes of T. ni feeding on the control plants. Further research is needed to more clearly identify the sites and modes of action of these chitinolytic enzymes, and the potential for synergy between these enzymes and pathogens, allelochemicals, and other environmental factors.