AGRE-0005 Novel Antifungal Proteins Applications in Crop Protection

Contacts
Summary Information



To find similar Items, click on a keyword below:
ECLAIR Cluster V - Biological Pest Control : Integrated Crop Protection & Biological Control : Plant Genetics

SUMMARY

A number of projects funded under the ECLAIR programme, although not directly producing a non-food product from agricultural raw material, are of relevance to crops in general since they aim to develop new methods of pest and disease control, which could reduce cost of raw material production, as well as offering environmental advantages. This Item covers AGRE-0005 aimed to discover novel antifungal proteins of plant origin and develop these for commercial use in crop protection, as part of an integrated approach to disease control. This was done by the transgenic expression, in the target crop, of genes encoding the antifungal protein.

INTRODUCTION

Fungal infection is a major cause of loss of yield in crops worldwide. In addition, some fungi produce highly carcinogenic mycotoxins which can cause problems in animals fed with residues from agro-industrial processes, such as oilseed and grain processing. Despite the development of safer, more efficient, target-specific fungicides, there are environmental and other pressures (including economics) which encourage the search for novel methods of control. This project covers one such approach based on the discovery of unique, broad spectrum antifungal proteins which occur in some plants but not in others.

OBJECTIVES

The main objectives were to identify such novel antifungal proteins of plant origin and develop these for commercial use in crop protection. This would be as part of an integrated approach to disease control through the transgenic expression, in the target crop, of genes encoding the antifungal protein.

ACTIVITIES

A bioassay was used to screen some 800 wild and cultivated plant species for proteins with potent antifungal activity. Such proteins were found, and purified, in over 20 different plants. The proteins were classified on the basis of the amino acid sequence and found to have many properties in common (relatively small size, high isoelectric point and a high cysteine content). Genes for those proteins which inhibited fungal growth at around 1mg/ml, protected plants against fungal damage and showed no toxic effects on animals or animal cells were isolated. The DNA fragments were linked to a promoter and used to transform tobacco plants. Expression of the protein was demonstrated, as was increased resistance to artificial inoculation with Alternaria longipes, the fungus causing "brown spot disease" of tobacco.

COMMERCIALISATION

The commercial partner is continuing in-house development, whilst the potential is being explored under the AIR programme (CT94-1356), details of which will be reported in a future item

PARTICIPANTS

Zeneca Agrochemicals, Bracknell, UK., Nationale Plantentuin van België (Belgium), University of Coimbra (Portugal), University College London (UK).