Controlling sap-sucking insect pests with recombinant endophytes expressing plant lectin

We developed a novel pest management strategy, which uses endophytes to express anti-pest plant lectins. Fungal endophyte of Chaetomium globosum YY-11 with anti-fungi activities was isolated from rape seedlings, and bacterial endophytes of SJ-10 (Enterobacter sp.) and WB (Bacillus subtilis) were isolated from rice seedlings. Pinellia ternate agglutinin gene was cloned into SJ-10 and WB for expression by a shuttle vector, and YY-11 was mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Positive transformants were evaluated using PCR and Western blot assay. Recombinant endophytes colonized most of crops, and resistance of rice seedlings, which were inoculated with the recombinant endophytic bacteria, to white backed planthoppers was dramatically enhanced by decreasing the survival and fecundity of white backed planthoppers. Rape inoculated with recombinant endophytic fungi significantly inhibited the growth and reproduction of aphids. Recombinant endophytes expressing PTA may endow hosts with resistance against sap-sucking pests.