Induced epidermal permeability modulates resistance and susceptibility of wheat seedlings to herbivory by Hessian fly larvae.

Salivary secretions of neonate Hessian fly larvae initiate a two-way exchange of molecules with their wheat host. Changes in properties of the leaf surface allow larval effectors to enter the plant where they trigger plant processes leading to resistance and delivery of defence molecules, or susceptibility and delivery of nutrients. To increase understanding of the host plant's response, the timing and characteristics of the induced epidermal permeability were investigated.

Transcript profiles of two wheat lipid transfer protein-encoding genes are altered during attack by Hessian fly larvae.

A sequence encoding a putative type-1 lipid transfer protein from wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell) was identified through 'GeneCalling', an mRNA profiling technology. The mRNA for the Hfr-LTP (Hessian fly-responsive lipid transfer protein) gene decreased in abundance (196-fold) in susceptible wheat plants over the first eight days of attack by virulent Hessian fly larvae (Mayetiola destructor Say).

Virulent Hessian fly larvae manipulate the free amino acid content of host wheat plants.

Gall-forming insects induce host plants to form specialized structures (galls) that provide immature life stages of the insect access to host plant nutrients and protection from natural enemies. Feeding by larvae of the Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor Say) causes susceptible host wheat plants to produce a gall-like nutritive tissue that supports larval growth and development. To determine if changes in host plant free amino acid levels are associated with virulent Biotype L Hessian fly larval feeding, we quantified free amino acid levels in crown tissues of susceptible Newton wheat plants 1, 4, and 7 days after Hessian fly egg hatch.

A novel wheat gene encoding a putative chitin-binding lectin is associated with resistance against Hessian fly.

SUMMARY The gene-for-gene interaction triggering resistance of wheat against first-instar Hessian fly larvae utilizes specialized defence response genes not previously identified in other interactions with pests or pathogens. We characterized the expression of Hfr-3, a novel gene encoding a lectin-like protein with 68-70% identity to the wheat germ agglutinins. Within each of the four predicted chitin-binding hevein domains, the HFR-3 translated protein sequence contained five conserved saccharide-binding amino acids.

Gene-for-gene defense of wheat against the Hessian fly lacks a classical oxidative burst.

Genetic similarities between plant interactions with microbial pathogens and wheat interactions with Hessian fly larvae prompted us to investigate defense and counterdefense mechanisms. Plant oxidative burst, a rapid increase in the levels of active oxygen species (AOS) within the initial 24 h of an interaction with pathogens, commonly is associated with defenses that are triggered by gene-for-gene recognition events similar to those involving wheat and Hessian fly larvae. RNAs encoded by Hessian fly superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) genes, involved in detoxification of AOS, increased in first-instar larvae during both compatible and incompatible interactions.