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Title: Detection of genes encoding antimicrobial peptides in Mexican strains of Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) exposed to Bacillus thuringiensis

Author
item TAMEZ-GUERRA, P - UNIV AUTONOMA NUEVO LEON
item VALADEZ-LIRA, J - UNIV AUTONOMA NUEVO LEON
item ALCOCER-GONZALEZ, J - UNIV AUTONOMA NUEVO LEON
item Oppert, Brenda
item GOMEZ-FLORES, R - UNIV AUTONOMA NUEVO LEON
item TAMEZ-GUERRA, R - UNIV AUTONOMA NUEVO LEON
item RODRIGUEZ-PADILLA, C - UNIV AUTONOMA NUEVO LEON

Submitted to: Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/13/2008
Publication Date: 7/1/2008
Citation: Tamez-Guerra, P., Valadez-Lira, J.A., Alcocer-Gonzalez, J.M., Oppert, B.S., Gomez-Flores, R., Tamez-Guerra, R.S., Rodriguez-Padilla, C. 2008. Detection of genes encoding antimicrobial peptides in Mexican strains of Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) exposed to Bacillus thuringiensis. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 98: 218-227.

Interpretive Summary: Resistance to the insecticide bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is being studied in one of the primary target pests in Mexico, the cabbage looper, to prevent the development of resistance to sprays in the field. The role of insect immune protective mechanisms to evade Bt infection is unknown. Therefore, we compared the expression of genes encoding antibacterial peptides in strains of the cabbage looper with varying susceptibility to Bt protoxins and toxins. Our findings suggest that the expression of antibacterial peptides correlates with previous exposure to Bt, although a definitive link to resistance has yet to be determined.

Technical Abstract: The systemic immune response of Trichoplusia ni after Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) exposure was evaluated by comparing the expression of genes encoding antimicrobial peptides (AMP) in Bt-susceptible and -resistant T. ni strains that were either exposed or not to XenTari® (Bt-XT). AMP genes were detected by RT-PCR using primers for attacin, gloverin, lebocin, lysozyme, and peptidoglycan recognition peptide (PGRP). In general, AMP genes were detected more frequently in Mexican field strains previously exposed to Bt (SALX and GTOX) than in a Mexican laboratory strain (NL), but expression was similar to the AMP expression in USA laboratory strains (US and USX). Among the AMPs, transcripts for lebocin were the least detected (11.7%) and those for lysozyme were the most detected (84.8%) in all samples. Lebocin was detected only in 2nd instar and pupae. All untreated controls expressed attacin. Attacin and gloverin were not detected in any midgut sample, and their highest detection was in pupa. Lysozyme was rarely detected in 2nd instar larvae from any strain or treatment but was detected in almost all midgut and hemolymph samples. Overall, AMPs were found more in T. ni strains previously exposed to Bt-XT, especially lebocin and globerin (1.8-fold increase) and PGRP (3.8-fold increase). The data suggest that the expression of AMPs in T. ni correlates to previous Bt exposure.