DEVELOPMENT OF GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER MIMETIC INSECTICIDAL PEPTIDES, AND AN ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIAL SYSTEM FOR THEIR DELIVERY TO MATURE GRAPE

• Author(s): Federici, Brian; Cooksey, Donald;
• Abstract: Transgenic insecticidal crops have been developed and deployed to control major chewing insect pests such as caterpillars and beetles, but not for economically important xylem-feeding sucking insect pests like the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata (GWSS). Our goal is to develop novel, highly specific insecticidal proteins derived from the variable binding domains of immunoglobulin molecules. These mimetic peptides are being targeted to bind to the exposed active domains of transport proteins on the surface of the midgut microvillar membrane, enzymes found in GWSS saliva, and proteins associated with Xylella fastidiosa acquisition and transmission. Identifying target GWSS proteins is being accomplished through a genomics approach utilizing PCR amplification and cDNA microarray screening to identify, clone, and characterize the GWSS genes encoding these proteins. Targeting these proteins with antibody based mimetic peptides offers a potentially powerful means for controlling Pierces disease that is environmentally friendly and could reduce crop loss due to GWSS feeding and transmission of X. fastidiosa.
• Publication Date: Aug 2003
• Journal: 2003 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium