Transgenic tobacco expressing an Arisaema heterophyllum agglutinin gene displays enhanced resistance to aphids

Tobacco leaf discs were transformed with a plasmid, pBIAHA, containing the selectable marker neomycin phosphotransferase gene (nptII) and an Arisaema heterophyllum agglutinin gene (aha) via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Thirty-two independent transgenic tobacco plants were regenerated. PCR and Southern blot analyses confirmed that multiple copies of the aha gene had integrated into the plant genome. Northern blot analysis revealed that the aha gene was expressed at various levels in the transgenic plants. Insect bioassay test showed that transgenic plants expressing multiple copies of the aha gene reduced the rate of population increase of the peach potato aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer). This is the first report that transgenic tobacco plants expressing the aha gene display enhanced resistance to aphids. Key words: Insect bioassay, Arisaema heterophyllum agglutinin, transformation, transgenic tobacco, peach potato aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer)