The Role of P-Proteins in Plant Insect Interaction

光合作用合成的糖必须分布在整个植物体内。它们对所有细胞都至关重要，因为它们代表了植物生命的主要能量来源。负责植物内部分布的系统是韧皮部，韧皮部由管状细胞组成，在植物体内形成微流体网络。由于其含糖量高，韧皮部是蚜虫和粉蚧等害虫的主要目标。目前，这类害虫对农作物的侵害造成了巨大的经济损失和对农药的依赖。然而，越来越多的消费者开始关注食品中农药的问题。许多研究表明，农药残留是普遍现象，而不是特例。例如，在华盛顿州的苹果样本中，84%的农药检测呈阳性；在某些情况下，含量如此之高，以至于一个孩子吃半个苹果就会超过每日安全暴露水平。为了减少农药接触，需要制定新的战略。最近发现的蛋白质体在损伤时可逆地封闭韧皮部细胞。迄今为止，这种蛋白质体只在豆类植物中被发现。利用分子、微观和生化方法研究反应的机理和控制。此外，还将研究其他植物科是否也存在类似的机制，以及这些机制是否可以用于诱导对韧皮部取食昆虫高度敏感的植物产生抗性。这些新策略有可能大幅减少现代农业目前所需的杀虫剂数量。通过训练本科生和研究生使用显微镜研究韧皮部运输和韧皮部昆虫相互作用的机制，期望产生更广泛的影响

Sugars synthesized by photosynthesis have to be distributed over the entire plant body. They are crucial for all cells, since they represent the primary energy source for plant life. The system responsible for distribution within plants is the phloem which consists of tube like cells that form a microfluidic network within the plant body. Due to its high content of sugar, the phloem is a primary target for pests like aphids and mealybugs. Currently, infestation of crop plants by such pests causes substantial economic damage and the dependence on pesticides. An increasing number of consumers, however, are concerned about the occurrence of pesticides in food. Numerous studies have demonstrated that pesticide residues are common rather than exceptional. For example, in a sampling of apples in Washington State, 84% tested positive for pesticides; in some cases, levels were so high that a child consuming half an apple would exceed the daily safe exposure level. In order to reduce pesticide exposure, new strategies need to be developed. Recently protein bodies have been discovered which reversibly occlude phloem cells in case of injury. This type of protein body has only been found to date in bean plants. Using molecular, microscopic, and biochemical methods the mechanism and control of the reaction will be investigated. In addition it will be investigated if similar mechanisms occur in other plant families, and if those mechanisms can be used to induce resistance in plants which have high susceptibility to phloem feeding insects. These new strategies carry the potential to dramatically reduce the amount of insecticides currently required in modern agriculture. Additional broader impacts are expected through training of undergraduate and graduate students on the use of microscopy to study the mechanism of phloem transport and phloem insect interactions