Scientists from the Suranaree University of Technology in Thailand and
Louisiana State University have developed transgenic tomato lines with
increased resistance to the common cutworm. The transgenic lines were
modified to express a potato gene coding for the enzyme polyphenol oxidase
(PPO). Polyphenol oxidase, which has also been implicated for plant
resistance to the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae catalyzes the conversion of
phenolics to quinones, plant secondary metabolites that are involved in
pathogen defense.
Growth rates of cutworm in the PPO-expressing lines were up to three
times lower compared to their non-transgenic counterparts. Higher levels of
PPO also resulted to increased larval mortality, with the cutworm third
instar consuming less foliage. The results suggest a critical role for
PPO-mediated phenolic oxidation in pest resistance.

For more information read the article published by the Plant Journal
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