Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #232603
Title: Foreign gene transfer in termite cells using a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus

Author
item MODISETT, KATHARINE - TULANE UNIVERSITY
item ROBINSON, CHRISTY - TULANE UNIVERSITY
item Raina, Ashok
item Lax, Alan
item MICHAEL, SCOTT - BIOTECHNOLOGY RESRCH,FL
item ISERN, SHARON - BIOTECHNOLOGY RESRCH,FL

Submitted to: Journal of Insect Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/29/2007
Publication Date: 9/18/2008
Citation: Modisett, K.L., Robinson, C.D., Raina, A.K., Lax, A.R., Michael, S.F., Isern, S. 2008. Foreign gene transfer in termite cells using a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus. Journal of Insect Science (8)52:1536-2442.

Interpretive Summary: The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, is a very destructive insect that destroys structures and trees. Understanding termite cell metabolism could provide new target sites for chemical control development. Having termite cell cultures could also allow a means to discover possible viruses that could control termites. Our results show a method for the establishment and cryopreservation of primary embryonic termite cell cultures and transferring genes into these cells for development of such tissue cultures, so that we may perform biochemical tests and virus assays on these cell cultures.

Technical Abstract: The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, and the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), are well known for their destruction of human dwellings and flora in the tropics and subtropics. A method to deliver foreign genes into termite cell cultures would provide a controlled environment to facilitate the study of key regulatory functions at the molecular and cellular level. Here a method for the establishment and cryopreservation of primary embryonic termite cell cultures is described. Evidence is presented of viral-mediated gene transfer in these cells and foreign gene expression using a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus vector. Keywords: termite, gene transfer, vesicular stomatitis virus, primary