Negligible transcriptome and metabolome alterations in RNAi insecticidal maize against Monolepta hieroglyphica

Abstract Key message RNAi-based genetically modified maize resistant to Monolepta hieroglyphica (Motschulsky) was demonstrated with negligible transcriptome and metabolome alterations compared to its unmodified equivalent. Abstract As one of the most prevalent insect pests afflicting various crops, Monolepta hieroglyphica (Motschulsky) causes severe loss of agricultural and economic productivity for many years in China. In an effort to reduce damages, in this study, an RNA interference (RNAi)-based genetically modified (GM) maize was developed. It was engineered to produce MhSnf7 double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), which can suppress the Snf7 gene expression and then lead M. hieroglyphica to death. Field trail analysis confirmed the robustly insecticidal ability of the MhSnf7 GM maize to resist damages by M. hieroglyphica. RNA sequencing analysis identified that only one gene was differentially expressed in the MhSnf7 GM maize compared to non-GM maize, indicating that the transcriptome in MhSnf7 GM maize is principally unaffected by the introduction of the MhSnf7 dsRNA expression vector. Likewise, metabolomics analysis identified that only 8 out of 5787 metabolites were significantly changed. Hence, the integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics demonstrates that there are negligible differences between MhSnf7 GM maize and its unmodified equivalent. This study not only presents a comprehensive assessment of cellular alteration in terms of gene transcription and metabolite abundance in RNAi-based GM maize, but also could be used as a reference for evaluating the unintended effect of GM crops.

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Effect of Feeding Cows Genetically Modified Maize on the Bacterial Community in the Bovine Rumen

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.01060-06 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 73 (24) ◽

pp. 8012-8017 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

S. Wiedemann ◽

P. Gürtler ◽

C. Albrecht

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Community ◽

Real Time ◽

Real Time Pcr ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Genetically Modified Maize ◽

Bacterial Strains ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Bovine Rumen ◽

Gm Maize ◽

Effect Of Feeding

ABSTRACT Rumen-cannulated cows (n = 4) were fed successively silage made from either conventional or genetically modified (GM) maize. Results revealed no effects of GM maize on the dynamics of six ruminal bacterial strains (investigated by real-time PCR) compared to the conventional maize silage.

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Transgene behavior in genetically modified teosinte hybrid plants: transcriptome expression, insecticidal protein production and bioactivity against a target insect pest

Environmental Sciences Europe ◽

10.1186/s12302-021-00506-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

Author(s):

André Felipe Lohn ◽

Miluse Trtikova ◽

Ignacio Chapela ◽

Rosa Binimelis ◽

Angelika Hilbeck

Keyword(s):

Defense Mechanisms ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Gene Dosage ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Cry1ab Protein ◽

Gm Maize ◽

Hybrid Plants ◽

Maize Plants

Abstract Background In 2009, Spanish farmers reported a novel weed, now identified as a relative of maize’s ancestor, teosinte, in their maize fields. Introgression of the insect resistance transgene cry1Ab from genetically modified (GM) maize into populations of this weedy Spanish teosinte could endow it with additional defense mechanisms. The aims of this study were: (1) to test if hybridization between GM maize and weedy plants from Spain is possible; (2) to understand the relationship between transgene transcription activity, concentrations of the expected transgene product (Cry1Ab protein) and the bioactivity of the latter on target insect pests following transgene flow from GM maize into Spanish teosinte plants. Results We demonstrated that hybridization between GM maize and the weedy Spanish teosinte is possible, with no observable barrier to the formation of crop/weed hybrids when teosinte served as pollen donor. When GM maize plants were used as pollen donors, significant crossing incompatibility was observed: hybrid plants produced only few “normal” seeds. Nevertheless, viable F1 seeds from GM pollen crossed onto teosinte were indeed obtained. The cry1Ab transgene was stably expressed as mRNA in all crossings and backgrounds. Similarly, toxicity on neonate Ostrinia nubilalis, presumably due to Cry1Ab protein, was consistently expressed in teosinte hybrids, with mortality rates 95% or higher after only 4 days exposure, similar to rates on parental GM maize plants. Nevertheless, no strong correlations were observed between transgene transcription levels and Cry1Ab concentrations, nor between Cry1Ab concentrations and insect mortality rates across all of the different genetic backgrounds. Conclusions Our results establish fundamental parameters for environmental risk assessments in the European context: first, we show that crop/weed hybridization in fields where maize and teosinte exist sympatrically can lead to potentially catastrophic transfer of resistance traits into an already noxious weed; second, our results question the viability of using gene dosage to model and predict ecological performance in either the intended crop plant or the undesired teosinte weed. Significant questions remain that should be addressed in order to provide a scientific, sound approach to the management of this novel weed.

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Effect of feeding genetically modified maize and soybean meal to sows on their reproductive traits, haematological indices and offspring performance

Bulletin of the Veterinary Institute in Pulawy ◽

10.2478/bvip-2013-0071 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 57 (3) ◽

pp. 413-418 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Małgorzata Świątkiewicz ◽

Dariusz Bednarek ◽

Jan Markowski ◽

Ewa Hanczakowska ◽

Krzysztof Kwiate

Keyword(s):

Soybean Meal ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Genetically Modified Maize ◽

Bt Maize ◽

Offspring Performance ◽

Gm Maize ◽

Lactating Sows ◽

Maize Mon810 ◽

Haematological Indices ◽

Gm Soybean

Abstract The effect of Roundup Ready MON-40-3-2 soybean meal and Bt maize MON810 on sows performance and haematological indices, including parameters of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and trombocytes, as well as the piglets rearing indices were evaluated in the experiment carried out on 24 sows and their progeny. After mating sows were divided into groups: I - control, conventional soybean meal and conventional maize; II - genetically modified (GM) soybean meal and conventional maize; III - conventional soybean meal and GM maize; IV - GM soybean meal and GM maize. All used feed mixtures were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic, however differed in presence or absence of genetically modified maize MON810 (5% for pregnant and 8% for lactating sows) and/or soybean meal MON-40-3-2 (4% for pregnant and 14% for lactating sows). Born piglets were allotted to the same group as their mothers. The study showed that feeding pregnant and lactating sows with mixtures containing genetically modified RR soybean or/and meal Bt maize did not significantly affect their reproductive characteristics and offspring performance. There was no effect of dietary treatment on haematological indices. Transfer of transgenic DNA from GM feed to blood was not confirmed.

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