PLoS ONE (2012) 7 (5 - e36862)
Fernando Álvarez-Alfageme, Christoph Lüthi and Jörg Romeis (2012)
Characterization of digestive enzymes of bruchid parasitoids - initial steps for environmental risk assessment of genetically modified legumes
PLoS ONE 7 (5 - e36862)
Abstract: Genetically modified (GM) legumes expressing the alpha-amylase inhibitor 1 (alphaAI-1) from Phaseolus vulgaris L. or cysteine protease inhibitors are resistant to several bruchid pests (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). In addition, the combination of plant resistance factors together with hymenopteran parasitoids can substantially increase the bruchid control provided by the resistance alone. If the strategy of combining a bruchid-resistant GM legume and biological control is to be effective, the insecticidal trait must not adversely affect bruchid antagonists. The environmental risk assessment of such GM legumes includes the characterization of the targeted enzymes in the beneficial species and the assessment of the in vitro susceptibility to the resistance factor. The digestive physiology of bruchid parasitoids remain relatively unknown, and their susceptibility to alphaAI-1 has never been investigated. We have detected alpha-amylase and serine protease activities in all five bruchid parasitoid species tested. Thus, the deployment of GM legumes expressing cysteine protease inhibitors to control bruchids should be compatible with the use of parasitoids. In vitro inhibition studies showed that sensitivity of alpha-amylase activity to alphaAI-1 in the parasitoids was comparable to that in the target species. Direct feeding assays revealed that harmful effects of alpha-amylase inhibitors on bruchid parasitoids cannot be discounted and need further evaluation.
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Database assignments for author(s): Jörg Romeis
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
resistance/tolerance/defence of host
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
