INSECT-SYMBIOTIC BACTERIA INHIBITORY TO XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA IN SHARPSHOOTERS

• Author(s): Miller, Thomas; Cooksey, Donald; Lampe, David; Lauzon, Carol; Peloquin, John;
• Abstract: The appearance of Pierces disease vectored by a relative newcomer to California, the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata, has lead to the project outlined here. We hope to develop a new strategy to combat the spread of Pierces disease by delivering anti-disease strategies aimed at neutralizing the disease organism, the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, its production of a form of xanthan gum that clogs the xylem spaces of the plants or disrupts connection of the pathogen to the mouthparts of the vector insect. The use of bacteria associated with insects to disrupt disease transmission is itself a new approach to disease control. The main principle, paratransgenesis, which is the genetic alteration of bacteria carried by insects, was originally designed by Frank Richards to disrupt the transmission of Chagas disease by Triatomine bugs. The possible use of paratransgenesis for preventing Pierces disease was seen to be feasible when Carol Lauzon and John Peloquin in a preliminary study showed that the vector insect was cycling typical plant bacteria through the midgut. The project then is to exploit this initial finding by seeking ways to deliver anti-Pierces strategies via one of the innocuous bacteria found common to the host plant. This approach calls for expertise in environmental microbiology, plant pathology, molecular biology, entomology and microbiology. The research leaders listed above have the proper credentials to make this strategy function.
• Publication Date: Dec 2001
• Journal: 2001 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium