Novel-iridoviral kinase induces mortality and reduces performance of green peach aphids (Myzus persicae) in transgenic Arabidopsis plants

Insect pests are a serious threat to agricultural productivity. Genetically-modified crops offer promising alternative, and Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin genes have played major role in this respect. However, overcome insect tolerance issues broaden the target range, it is critical identify alternative insecticidal toxins working through novel mechanisms. In our previous study, kinase from Chilo iridescent virus (CIV) that has activity was identified designated as Iridovirus Serine/Threonine Kinase (ISTK). A 35 kDa truncated form of ISTK, iridoptin, obtained during expression purification ISTK yeast system. This yeast-expressed CIV toxin induced 50% mortality cotton aphids 100% green peach (GPA). codon optimized gene iridoptin fragment (designated oISTK oIRI, respectively) were designed by altering usage features seldom present plant exons. Codon-optimized gene(s) cloned into vectors used stably transform Arabidopsis plants. PCR analysis genomic DNA transformed plants confirmed presence insert (oISTK/oIRI) selected transgenic lines. Further screening performed selecting positive lines, which showed respective at polypeptide level, using Western blot analyses. constructs resulted significant improvement levels its stability planta. The stable lines expressing either two forms moderate very high GPAs significantly affected GPA development fecundity.