DEVELOPMENT OF PEPTIDE ANTIBIOTIC-BASED CONTROL STRATEGIES FOR XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA

• Author(s): Hammock, Bruce; Kamita, Shizuo; Gilchrist, David; Kirkpatrick, Bruce;
• Abstract: In this project, we are evaluating the effectiveness of peptide antibiotics such as cecropins A, B, and P1 against Xylella fastidiosa. In our initial experiments, we have found that cecropins (in particular cecropin A) are effective at inhibiting the growth of X. fastidiosa. We are currently attempting to express individual cecropins in an in vitro expression system based on baculovirus expression vectors and insect cells. The baculovirus system will allow us to easily manipulate the coding sequence of the peptide antibiotic in order to optimize their efficacy. In the second phase of our project we will attempt to express the most effective cecropin constructs in transgenic plants and determine whether (i) active cecropin is produced and (ii) if active cecropin is expressed, does feeding by GWSS on these transgenic plants reduce X. fastidiosa transmission.
• Publication Date: Aug 2003
• Journal: 2003 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium