Rickettsia endosymbiont cDNA and Antigen

Bemisia tabaci, also known as the silverleaf whitefly, is a notorious pest that inflicts significant damage to crops worldwide. However, recent research has shown that a symbiotic relationship between Bemisia tabaci and a Rickettsia endosymbiont, Rickettsia sp. nr. bellii, can confer plant resistance to the whitefly.

The Rickettsia endosymbiont produces a 17 kDa antigen that is believed to play a crucial role in the symbiosis between the whitefly and the plant. Studies have shown that the 17 kDa antigen can stimulate the plant’s immune system, leading to the production of defense compounds that repel the whitefly.

In addition, the Rickettsia endosymbiont may also confer other benefits to Bemisia tabaci, such as improved survival and reproductive fitness. The endosymbiont is transmitted vertically from mother to offspring and is necessary for the whitefly’s survival and development.

Overall, the discovery of the symbiotic relationship between Bemisia tabaci and Rickettsia endosymbiont highlights the complex interplay between plants, insects, and microorganisms. The 17 kDa antigen produced by the endosymbiont represents a promising avenue for developing sustainable pest management strategies that harness the natural defense mechanisms of plants.

The use of recombinant proteins/cDNA in academic research and therapeutic applications has skyrocketed. However, in heterologous expression systems, successful recombinant protein expression is dependent on a variety of factors, including codon preference, RNA secondary structure, and GC content. When compared to pre-optimization, more and more experimental results demonstrated that the expression level was dramatically increased, ranging from two to hundred times depending on the gene. Bioclone has created a proprietary technology platform that has resulted in the creation of over 6,000 artificially synthesized codon-optimized cDNA clones (cloned in E. coli expression Vector), which are ready for production of the recombinant proteins.

Rickettsia endosymbiont cDNA and recombinant antigens can be used in a variety of applications. For example, they can be used to study the biology and genetics of the organism, to develop diagnostic tools for the detection and identification of the organism, and to develop vaccines and other treatments for diseases caused by the organism. Additionally, cDNA and recombinant antigens can be used to develop novel bioproducts such as enzymes, proteins, or other molecules for use in industrial or pharmaceutical applications.