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A single major QTL controls expression of larval Cry1F resistance trait in Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and is independent of midgut receptor genes

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Abstract

The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is an introduced crop pest in North America that causes major damage to corn and reduces yield of food, feed, and biofuel materials. The Cry1F toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) expressed in transgenic hybrid corn is highly toxic to O. nubilalis larvae and effective in minimizing feeding damage. A laboratory colony of O. nubilalis was selected for high levels of Cry1F resistance (>12,000-fold compared to susceptible larvae) and is capable of survival on transgenic hybrid corn. Genetic linkage maps with segregating AFLP markers show that the Cry1F resistance trait is controlled by a single quantitative trait locus (QTL) on linkage group 12. The map position of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers indicated that midgut Bt toxin-receptor genes, alkaline phosphatase, aminopeptidase N, and cadherin, are not linked with the Cry1F QTL. Evidence suggests that genes within this genome interval may give rise to a novel Bt toxin resistance trait for Lepidoptera that appears independent of known receptor-based mechanisms of resistance.

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Acknowledgments

This research was a joint contribution from the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (CRIS Project 3625-22000-017-00), the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, IA (Project 3543), and the University of Nebraska. Funding also was provided by a USDA, Biotechnology and Risk Assessment Grant (BRAG) “Quantifying risk factors for evolution of European corn borer resistance to Cry11F expressing corn hybrids: Contribution to a framework for managing insect resistance to transgenic crop” (2006-03697). This article reports the results of research only. Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation by USDA, Iowa State University or the University of Nebraska for its use.

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  1. USDA-ARS, Corn Insects & Crop Genetics Research Unit, Genetics Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Brad S. Coates, Douglas V. Sumerford, Miriam D. Lopez, Jeremy A. Kroemer, Craig A. Abel & Richard L. Hellmich

  2. Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Douglas V. Sumerford, Miriam D. Lopez, Lisa M. Fraser, Craig A. Abel & Richard L. Hellmich

  3. Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA

    Haichuan Wang, Terrence Spencer & Blair D. Siegfried

  4. Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-921, Republic of Korea

    Kyung S. Kim

  5. USDA-ARS, Corn Insects & Crop Genetics Research, 113 Genetics Lab, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50010, USA

    Brad S. Coates

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  1. Brad S. Coates
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Coates, B.S., Sumerford, D.V., Lopez, M.D. et al. A single major QTL controls expression of larval Cry1F resistance trait in Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and is independent of midgut receptor genes. Genetica 139, 961–972 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10709-011-9590-0

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