Transgenic pea seeds expressing the alpha-amylase inhibitor of the common bean are resistant to bruchid beetles

Infestations of stored legume seeds by bruchid beetles, such as the cowpea weevil and the Azuki bean weevil cause substantial economic and nutritional losses of these food crops, especially in developing countries. Seeds of the common bean are resistant to these bruchids largely because of the presence of α -amylase inhibitor ( α AI-Pv), a seed protein that is toxic to the larvae. The α AI-Pv gene is therefore a candidate for a genetic engineering approach that would make other legumes (pea, chickpea, cowpea, Azuki bean) resistant to bruchid infestations. We tested this possibility by transforming peas ( Pisum sativum ) with the α AI-Pv gene driven by a strong seed-specific promoter. The levels of α AI protein in the pea seeds were as high as in bean seeds and the peas were resistant to the cowpea and Azuki bean weevils.