Molecular basis of plant parasitism by a galling insect

葡萄是世界上最有价值的水果作物，一种叫做根瘤蚜的小昆虫是葡萄藤最大的敌人之一。在过去，它几乎摧毁了全世界的葡萄园。根瘤蚜导致植物产生特殊的结构，在其中生存和繁殖，称为虫瘿。这种攻击植物的方式很普遍，已经进化了很多次，许多重要的植物害虫都是瘿虫。尽管如此，没有人知道这种昆虫是如何指示植物创造一个有利于这种害虫的新器官的。这个项目将试图通过检查昆虫在产生瘿时开启或关闭的植物基因来理解这种非凡的能力。查尔斯·达尔文（Charles Darwin）认为，胆囊与水果相似，该项目将重点研究植物通常用来产生花朵和果实的基因。这一假设是，通常与果实生产有关的植物基因被根和叶中的昆虫激活。迄今为止的初步证据支持这一观点。由于植物通常通过激素来调节花朵和果实的产生，第二个需要验证的假设是根瘤蚜操纵植物激素来产生虫瘿。这些想法将通过生产关键基因被阻断的转基因葡萄藤得到证实。这些植物不可能长出虫瘿。这个项目的发现不仅将解释一个长期存在的自然之谜；它们还将为培育抗虫葡萄藤提供必要的遗传信息。该项目是生态学家、昆虫学家、植物生物学家和生物技术学家之间的独特合作。其结果将通过与密苏里新闻学院和葡萄藤育种者的合作向公众推广。pi是McNair和EXPRESS项目学生的积极支持者，大量的本科生和K-12教师也将参与其中。

Grapes are the world's most valuable fruit crop, and a small insect called phylloxera is one of the grapevine's worst enemies. In the past it has almost wiped out vineyards worldwide. Phylloxera causes the plant to create specialized structures in which it lives and reproduces, called galls. This way of attacking plants is widespread and has evolved numerous times, and many important plant pests are gall-makers. Still, no one has any idea how the insect instructs the plant to create a new organ that benefits the pest. This project will attempt to understand this remarkable ability by examining the plant genes that are turned on or off by the insect in creating a gall. Charles Darwin suggested that galls resemble fruits and this project will focus on genes the plant normally uses to create flowers and fruits. The hypothesis is that plant genes normally involved in fruit production are activated by the insect in roots and leaves. Preliminary evidence to date supports that view. Since plants normally regulate flower and fruit production using hormones, a second hypothesis to be tested is that phylloxera manipulates plant hormones to create galls. These ideas will be confirmed by producing genetically-modified grapevines with key genes blocked. It should be impossible for galls to form on these plants. Findings from this project will not only explain a long-held mystery of nature; they will also provide the genetic information necessary for developing insect-resistance grapevines. The project is a unique collaboration among ecologists, entomologists, plant biologists and biotechnologists. Its results will be extended to the public via a collaboration with the Missouri School of Journalism and to grapevine breeders. The PIs are very active supporters of McNair and EXPRESS program students and a substantial number of undergraduates and K-12 teachers will also participate.