Intraplant communication in maize contributes to defense against insects. (2nd August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Varsani, Suresh; Basu, Saumik; Williams, W. Paul; Felton, Gary W.; Luthe, Dawn S.; Louis, Joe
• Is Part Of: Plant signaling & behavior. Volume 11:Number 8(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-08-02
• Subjects: Corn leaf aphid -- Mir1-CP -- vascular tissue -- western corn rootworm -- Zea mays; Plant ecophysiology -- Periodicals; Plant cellular signal transduction -- Periodicals; Plant cellular signal transduction; Plant ecophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 581
• DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2016.1212800
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1559-2316

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The vasculature of plants act as a channel for transport of signal(s) that facilitate long-distance intraplant communication. In maize, Maize insect resistance1-Cysteine Protease (Mir1-CP), which has homology to papain-like proteases, provides defense to different feeding guilds of insect pests. Furthermore, accumulation of Mir1-CP in the vasculature suggests that Mir1-CP can potentially function as a phloem-mobile protein. In a recent study, we provided evidence that Mir1-CP can curtail the growth of phloem-sap sucking insect, corn leaf aphid (CLA; Rhopalosiphum maidis ). Our current study further examined whether aboveground feeding by CLA can induce resistance to subsequent herbivory by belowground feeding western corn rootworm (WCR; Diabrotica virgifera virgifera ). Aboveground feeding by CLA systemically induced the accumulation of Mir1-CP in the roots. Furthermore, foliage feeding by CLA provided enhanced resistance to subsequent herbivory by belowground feeding of WCR. Taken together, our previous findings and results presented here indicate that long-distance transport of Mir1-CP is critical for providing enhanced resistance to insect attack in maize.