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Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is a grain legume commonly grown in Asia and Africa for food and forage. It is a highly nutritious and robust crop, capable of surviving both droughts and floods. However, it produces a neurotoxic compound, β-N-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP), which can cause a severe neurological disorder when consumed as a primary diet component. While the catalytic activity associated with β-ODAP formation was demonstrated more than 50 years ago, the enzyme responsible for this activity has not been identified. Here, we report on the identity, activity, 3D structure, and phylogenesis of this enzyme-β-ODAP synthase (BOS). We show that BOS belongs to the benzylalcohol O-acetyltransferase, anthocyanin O-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase, anthranilate N-hydroxycinnamoyl/benzoyltransferase, deacetylvindoline 4-O-acetyltransferase superfamily of acyltransferases and is structurally similar to hydroxycinnamoyl transferase. Using molecular docking, we propose a mechanism for its catalytic activity, and using heterologous expression in tobacco leaves (Nicotiana benthamiana), we demonstrate that expression of BOS in the presence of its substrates is sufficient for β-ODAP production in vivo. The identification of BOS may pave the way toward engineering β-ODAP-free grass pea cultivars, which are safe for human and animal consumption.

Azadirachtin-A (AzaA) from the Indian neem tree (Azadirachta indica) has insecticidal properties; however, its molecular mechanism remains elusive. The “targeted and nontargeted proteomic profiling”, metabolomics, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) imaging, gene expression, and in silico analysis provided clues about its action on Helicoverpa armigera. Fourth instar H. armigera larvae fed on AzaA-based diet (AzaD) suffered from significant mortality, growth retardation, reduced larval mass, complications in molting, and prolonged development. Furthermore, death of AzaD-fed larvae was observed with various phenotypes like bursting, blackening, and half-molting. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) data showed limited catabolic processing of ingested AzaA and dramatic alternations of primary metabolism in H. armigera. MALDI-TOF imaging indicated the presence of AzaA in midgut of H. armigera. In the gut, out of 79 proteins identified, 34 were upregulated, which were related to digestion, immunity, energy production, and apoptosis mechanism. On the other hand, 45 proteins were downregulated, including those from carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and energy transfer. In the hemolymph, 21 upregulated proteins were reported to be involved in immunity, RNA processing, and mRNA-directed protein synthesis, while 7 downregulated proteins were implicated in energy transfer, hydrolysis, lipid metabolism, defense mechanisms, and amino acid storage-related functions. Subsequently, six target proteins were identified using labeled AzaA that interacted with whole insect proteins. In silico analysis suggests that AzaA could be efficiently accommodated in the hydrophobic pocket of juvenile hormone esterase and showed strong interaction with active site residues, indicating plausible targets of AzaA in H. armigera. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis suggested differential gene expression patterns and partly corroborated the proteomic results. Overall, data suggest that AzaA generally targets more than one protein in H. armigera and hence could be a potent biopesticide.

Plant proteinase inhibitors (PIs) are plant defense proteins and considered as potential candidates for engineering plant resistances against herbivores. Capsicum annuum proteinase inhibitor (CanPI7) is a multi-domain potato type II inhibitor (Pin-II) containing four inhibitory repeat domains (IRD), which target major classes of digestive enzymes in the gut of Helicoverpa armigera larvae. Stable integration and expression of the transgene in T1 transgenic generation, were confirmed by established molecular techniques. Protein extract of transgenic tomato lines showed increased inhibitory activity against H. armigera gut proteinases, supporting those domains of CanPI7 protein to be effective and active. When T1 generation plants were analyzed, they exhibited antibiosis effect against first instar larvae of H. armigera. Further, larvae fed on transgenic tomato leaves showed delayed growth relative to larvae fed on control plants, but did not change mortality rates significantly. Thus, better crop protection can be achieved in transgenic tomato by overexpression of multi-domain proteinase inhibitor CanPI7 gene against H. armigera larvae.

One of the most vital supports to sustain human life on the planet earth is the agriculture system that has been constantly challenged in terms of yield. Crop losses due to insect pest attack even after excessive use of chemical pesticides, are major concerns for humanity and environment protection. By the virtue of unique properties possessed by micro and nano-structures, their implementation in Agri-biotechnology is largely anticipated. Hence, traditional pest management strategies are now forestalling the potential of micro and nanotechnology as an effective and viable approach to alleviate problems pertaining to pest control. These technological innovations hold promise to contribute enhanced productivity by providing novel agrochemical agents and delivery systems. Application of these systems engages to achieve: i) control release of agrochemicals, ii) site-targeted delivery of active ingredients to manage specific pests, iii) reduced pesticide use, iv) detection of chemical residues, v) pesticide degradation, vi) nucleic acid delivery and vii) to mitigate post-harvest damage. Applications of micro and nano-technology are still marginal owing to the perception of low economic returns, stringent regulatory issues involving safety assessment and public awareness over their uses. In this review, we highlight the potential application of micro and nano-materials with a major focus on effective pest management strategies including safe handling of pesticides.

Azadirachtin-A (AzaA) from the Indian neem tree (Azadirachta indica) has insecticidal properties; however, its molecular mechanism remains elusive. The “targeted and nontargeted proteomic profiling”, metabolomics, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) imaging, gene expression, and in silico analysis provided clues about its action on Helicoverpa armigera. Fourth instar H. armigera larvae fed on AzaA-based diet (AzaD) suffered from significant mortality, growth retardation, reduced larval mass, complications in molting, and prolonged development. Furthermore, death of AzaD-fed larvae was observed with various phenotypes like bursting, blackening, and half-molting. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) data showed limited catabolic processing of ingested AzaA and dramatic alternations of primary metabolism in H. armigera. MALDI-TOF imaging indicated the presence of AzaA in midgut of H. armigera. In the gut, out of 79 proteins identified, 34 were upregulated, which were related to digestion, immunity, energy production, and apoptosis mechanism. On the other hand, 45 proteins were downregulated, including those from carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and energy transfer. In the hemolymph, 21 upregulated proteins were reported to be involved in immunity, RNA processing, and mRNA-directed protein synthesis, while 7 downregulated proteins were implicated in energy transfer, hydrolysis, lipid metabolism, defense mechanisms, and amino acid storage-related functions. Subsequently, six target proteins were identified using labeled AzaA that interacted with whole insect proteins. In silico analysis suggests that AzaA could be efficiently accommodated in the hydrophobic pocket of juvenile hormone esterase and showed strong interaction with active site residues, indicating plausible targets of AzaA in H. armigera. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis suggested differential gene expression patterns and partly corroborated the proteomic results. Overall, data suggest that AzaA generally targets more than one protein in H. armigera and hence could be a potent biopesticide.

Helicoverpa armigera is one of the major crop pests and is less amenable to current pest control approaches. RNA interference (RNAi) is emerging as a potent arsenal for the insect pest control over current methods. Here, we examined the effect on growth and development in H. armigera by targeting various enzymes/proteins such as proteases like trypsins (HaTry2, 3, 4 and 6), chymotrypsin (HaChy4) and cysteine protease like cathepsin (HaCATHL); glutathione S-transferases (HaGST1a, 6 and 8); esterases (HaAce4, HaJHE); catalase (HaCAT); super-oxide-dismutase (HaCu/ZnSOD); fatty acid binding protein (HaFabp) and chitin deacetylase (HaCda5b) through dsRNA approach. Significant downregulation of cognate mRNA expression and reduced activity of trypsin and GST-like enzyme were evident upon feeding candidate dsRNAs to the larvae. Among these, the highest mortality was observed in HaAce4 dsRNA fed larvae followed by HaJHE; HaCAT; HaCuZnSOD; HaFabp and HaTry3 whereas remaining ones showed relatively lower mortality. Furthermore, the dsRNA fed larvae showed significant reduction in the larval mass and abnormalities at the different stages of H. armigera development compared to their control diets. For example, malformed larvae, pupae and moth at a dose of 60μg/day were evident in high number of individual insects fed on dsRNA containing diets. Moreover, the growth and development of insects and moths were retarded in dsRNA fed larvae. These findings might provide potential new candidates for designing effective dsRNA as pesticide in crop protection.

The data presented in this article is related to the research article “RNAi of selected candidate genes interrupts growth and development of Helicoverpa armigera” (Chikate et al., 2016) [1]. RNA interference (RNAi) is emerging as a potent insect pest control strategy over current methods and their resistance by pest. In this study we tested 15 different in vitro synthesized dsRNAs for gene silencing in Helicoverpa armigera. These dsRNAs were specific against H. armigera enzymes/proteins such as proteases like trypsins (HaTry2, 3, 4 and 6), chymotrypsin (HaChy4) and cysteine proteases such as cathepsin (HaCATHL); glutathione S-transferases (HaGST1a, 6 and 8); esterases (HaAce4, HaJHE); catalase (HaCAT); super-oxide-dismutase (HaCu/ZnSOD); fatty acid binding protein (HaFabp) and chitin deacetylase (HaCda5b). These dsRNAs were fed to second instar larvae at an optimized dose (60 µg/day) for 3 days separately. Effects of dsRNA feeding were observed in terms of larval mass gain, percentage mortality and phenotypic abnormalities in later developmental stages of H. armigera. These findings might provide potential new candidates for designing sequence-specific dsRNA as pesticide in crop protection. Keywords: RNAi, dsRNA, H. armigera, Gene silencing, Pest control

Plant proteinase inhibitors (PIs) are plant defense proteins and considered as potential candidates for engineering plant resistances against herbivores. Capsicum annuum proteinase inhibitor (CanPI7) is a multi-domain potato type II inhibitor (Pin-II) containing four inhibitory repeat domains (IRD), which target major classes of digestive enzymes in the gut of Helicoverpa armigera larvae. Stable integration and expression of the transgene in T1 transgenic generation, were confirmed by established molecular techniques. Protein extract of transgenic tomato lines showed increased inhibitory activity against H. armigera gut proteinases, supporting those domains of CanPI7 protein to be effective and active. When T1 generation plants were analyzed, they exhibited antibiosis effect against first instar larvae of H. armigera. Further, larvae fed on transgenic tomato leaves showed delayed growth relative to larvae fed on control plants, but did not change mortality rates significantly. Thus, better crop protection can be achieved in transgenic tomato by overexpression of multi-domain proteinase inhibitor CanPI7 gene against H. armigera larvae.