Cajanus platycarpus Flavonoid 3′5′ Hydroxylase_2 (CpF3′5′H_2) Confers Resistance to Helicoverpa armigera by Modulating Total Polyphenols and Flavonoids in Transgenic Tobacco

Abstract

Pod borer Helicoverpa armigera, a polyphagus herbivorous pest, tremendously incurs crop damage in economically important crops. This necessitates the identification and utility of novel genes for the control of the herbivore. The present study deals with the characterization of a flavonoid 3′5′ hydroxylase_2 (F3′5′H_2) from a pigeonpea wild relative Cajanus platycarpus, possessing a robust chemical resistance response to H. armigera. Though F3′5′H_2 displayed a dynamic expression pattern in both C. platycarpus (Cp) and the cultivated pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan (Cc) during continued herbivory, CpF3′5′H_2 showed a 4.6-fold increase vis a vis 3-fold in CcF3′5′H_2. Despite similar gene copy numbers in the two Cajanus spp., interesting genic and promoter sequence changes highlighted the stress responsiveness of CpF3′5′H_2. The relevance of CpF3′5′H_2 in H. armigera resistance was further validated in CpF3′5′H_2-overexpressed transgenic tobacco based on reduced leaf damage and increased larval mortality through an in vitro bioassay. As exciting maiden clues, CpF3′5′H_2 deterred herbivory in transgenic tobacco by increasing total flavonoids, polyphenols and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity. To the best of our knowledge, this is a maiden attempt ascertaining the role of F3′5′H_2 gene in the management of H. armigera. These interesting leads suggest the potential of this pivotal branch-point gene in biotic stress management programs.