Role of the Arabidopsis thaliana TPS11 gene and trehalose metabolism in defense against green peach aphid

蚜虫是一大群以韧皮部为食的昆虫，对植物造成广泛的损害，并传播重要的病毒。然而，我们对植物防御蚜虫的认识是有限的。拟南芥与桃蚜（Myzus persicae，俗称绿桃蚜）的相互作用揭示了拟南芥TPS11基因在植物防御蚜虫中的作用，该基因与海藻糖代谢基因具有同源性。本项目的目的是表征TPS11参与海藻糖代谢，以及海藻糖代谢在植物防御蚜虫中的作用。生物化学、分子、遗传和基因组工具结合昆虫生物测定和行为研究将被用来实现这些目标。由于海藻糖及其代谢物在植物体内的含量较低，本研究有望揭示海藻糖在植物体内代谢的调控功能。GPA是一种50个植物科的害虫，是几种重要病毒的载体。此外，它将填补我们在海藻糖代谢及其参与植物胁迫反应方面的重要空白。更广泛的影响：该项目将惠及一名研究生和一名博士后，他们将接受生物化学、分子生物学和遗传学方面的培训。此外，通过PI的教学活动，该项目将把植物信号、碳水化合物代谢和应激反应的最新知识带入课堂。该项目还将提供培训本科生和高中生的机会，并扩大代表性不足群体对研究的参与。这个项目的结果也将对整个社会有潜在的好处，因为它们将确定植物代谢中介导防御昆虫的步骤。在未来，操纵这些步骤可能会增强蚜虫抗性，提高植物的质量和生产力。

Aphids are a large group of phloem-feeding insects that cause extensive damage to plants and vector important viruses. However, our understanding of plant defense against aphids is limited. The interaction between Arabidopsis thaliana and Myzus persicae, commonly known as green peach aphid (GPA), has uncovered a role for the Arabidopsis TPS11 gene, which exhibits homology to trehalose metabolism genes, in plant defense against aphids. The goal of this project is to characterize the involvement of TPS11 in trehalose metabolism, and the role of trehalose metabolism in plant defense against aphids. A combination of biochemical, molecular, genetic and genomic tools combined with insect bioassays and behavioral studies will be utilized to accomplish these goals. Since trehalose and its metabolites are present at low levels in plants, it is anticipated that this study will uncover a regulatory function of trehalose metabolism in plants. The proposed activity will enhance understanding of plant defense against GPA, which is a pest of 50 plant families and vectors several important viruses. In addition, it will fill important gaps in our knowledge of trehalose metabolism and its involvement in plant stress response. Broader Impacts: This project will benefit a graduate student and a post-doctoral fellow who will receive training in biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics. In addition, through the PI's instructional activities this project will bring current knowledge of plant signaling, carbohydrate metabolism and stress response into the classroom. This project will also provide an opportunity to train undergraduates and high school students and broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in research. Results from this project will also have potential benefits to society at large, because they will identify steps in plant metabolism that mediate defense against insects. In the future, manipulation of these steps may augment aphid resistance and enhance quality and productivity of plants.