Author:
Lohn André Felipe,Trtikova Miluse,Chapela Ignacio,van den Berg Johnnie,du Plessis Hannalene,Hilbeck Angelika
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Decades after their first commercial release, many theoretical assumptions are still taken for granted in the deployment of genetically modified (GM) crops. Theoretically, in the case of maize, active transcription of the cry1Ab transgene would result in dose-dependent production of the insecticidal Cry1Ab protein, which would in turn induce dose-dependent mortality on lepidopteran pests. We produced data to realistically approach this question by using a model that includes two genetic background contexts from two geographical provenances in Brazil and South Africa, and two lepidopteran pests (Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera littoralis). However, in this study, the effect of insect herbivory was superimposed to investigate possible stress-induced effects in transgene expression at three levels: mRNA, protein and bioactivity.
Results
Overall, we found that herbivore damage by H. armigera was reflected only at the translational level, with a higher level of Cry1Ab protein measured in the Brazilian crosses under herbivore stress. On the other hand, compared to non-stress growing conditions, the herbivore damage by S. littoralis was not directly reflected in mRNA, protein or bioactivity in the South African crosses.
Conclusions
The differences between South African and Brazilian genetic backgrounds, and between the stressor effect of the two herbivores used, highlight the complexity of transgene expression at the agroecological level.
Funder
SWISS NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION under the SWISS SOUTH AFRICAN JOINT RESEARCH PROGRAMME
FEDERAL COMMISSION FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS FCS
SWISS ETH ZÜRICH
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC