Immunodetection of Polyphenol oxidase in glandular trichomes ofS. berthaultii,S. tuberosum and their hybrids

Type A glandular trichomes confer insect resistance to the wild potato,S. berthaultii Hawkes by oxidatively polymerizing their contents upon breakage, resulting in insect entrapment. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is responsible for the oxidative polymerization of Type A glandular trichome exudate.S. tuberosum L. trichomes possess low amounts of PPO and lack the ability to either polymerize their contents or entrap insects. Polyclonal antibodies raised against purifiedS. berthaultii glandular trichome PPO were used to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify PPO content ofS. berthaultii, S tuberosum, and hybrid type A glandular trichomes. The PPO ELISA and immunoblots were used to quantify PPO expression as a function of leaf development and genetic background. PPO accumulates to its maximal levels in trichomes prior to completion of leaflet expansion. In advanced breeding generations, trichome PPO is expressed at levels varying from that found inS. tuberosum to that found inS. berthaultii. By serving as an initial screen for trichome PPO, this ELISA may be useful to assist rapid introgression of this insect resistance trait into adaptedS. tuberosum backgrounds.