Poster: Signaling, long distance

Abs # 458: RNAi Suppression of Salivary Glucose Oxidase in Caterpillars: Effect on Plant Signaling in Tomato and Maize

Presenter:	Felton, Gary W, gwf10@psu.edu
Authors	Felton, Gary W (A)   Luthe, Dawn S (B)   De Moraes, Consuelo  (A)   Liu, Feng  (A)   Peiffer, Michelle  (A)
Affiliations:	(A): Penn State University (B): Mississippi State University

Glucose oxidase (GOX) is a major salivary protein present in Helicoverpa zea (corn earworm) and Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm). It has been implicated in mediating inducible defenses in several plant species. Injecting larvae with a cocktail of SiRNAs corresponding to the H. zea GOX results in ca. 60% suppression of GOX synthesis and activity. We are investigating the defense and signaling responses of tomato and maize to feeding by genetically ablated larvae. Results indicate that suppressing GOX affects jasmonic acid and salicylic acid accumulation in tissues fed upon by genetically ablated larvae compared to tissues fed on by control larvae.