Investigating the effect of plant amino acid transporters AtAAP1 and AtAAP2 on aphid-plant interactions

Kemp, Harley (2011). Investigating the effect of plant amino acid transporters AtAAP1 and AtAAP2 on aphid-plant interactions. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

A model system of Myzus persicae, Brevicoryne brassicae and Arabidopsis thaliana was used to investigate the effect of loss of function mutations in the plant amino acid transporter genes, AtAAP1 (Accession number: At1g58360) and AtAAP2 (Accession number: At5g09220). Homozygous mutant lines for each transporter were screened for phenotypic changes. Silique numbers and total silique seed mass were reduced for both aap1 and aap2 plants in comparison to wildtype plants (p < 0.05). Individual seed weight was also significantly reduced in aap2 plants (p < 0.05). Aphid probing behaviour, measured using EPG, indicated both aphid species took significantly longer attempting to locate a sieve element and reach sustained E2 feeding when on aap1 and aap2 plants (p < 0.05). The rate of aphid feeding was also significantly slower for both aphid species feeding on aap1 and aap2 (p < 0.05). M. persicae and B. brassicae feeding on aap1 and aap2 exhibited no change in aphid performance when compared to aphids on control plants (p > 0.05). Following antibiotic elimination of aphid symbionts in both species, aposymbiotic aphids were found to grow significantly slower on aap1 and aap2 plants in comparison with aposymbiotic aphids feeding on control plants (p < 0.005).

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

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