转Bt基因作物对蚯蚓影响研究进展

转苏云金杆菌杀虫蛋白(Bt)基因作物的商品化种植可能对土壤生态系统产生不利影响是近10年来颇有争议的问题.转Bt基因作物可通过多种方式向土壤中释放苏云金杆菌杀虫蛋白即Bt蛋白,从而引起土壤生物和生态系统基本功能的变化;蚯蚓可加快动植物残体的降解,促进有机质的分解和矿化,与其他土壤生物相比,蚯蚓对某些污染物更敏感.本文从研究中用到的蚯蚓种类、采用的实验方式、研究的科学问题等方面综述了转Bt基因作物对土壤动物蚯蚓影响的研究进展,并对转Bt基因作物对土壤动物蚯蚓影响研究的发展趋势进行了展望,旨在为转Bt基因作物对非靶标土壤动物的影响提供参考,进而为全面评价转Bt基因作物对土壤生态系统的影响提供依据.     

转Bt基因作物对非靶标土壤动物的影响

转Bt基因作物已经在世界范围内广泛种植.随着转基因作物的快速发展与推广,有必要深入研究其对土壤生态系统的影响.本文概述了转Bt作物对土壤动物群落以及蚯蚓、线虫、虫兆虫、螨类和甲虫等重要类群的种群动态影响的研究进展,介绍了转Bt基因作物的发展历史,分析了Bt蛋白进入土壤的途径及其在土壤环境中的残留与降解的动态,阐述了未来转Bt基因作物对非靶标土壤动物影响的生态风险分析的重要领域,旨在为研究转Bt基因作物对非靶标土壤动物影响提供参考.     

转Bt基因作物Bt毒蛋白在土壤中的安全性研究

商业化的转Bt基因作物获准在田间大面积种植,使其释放的Bt毒蛋白对土壤生态系统的生态风险性问题成为人们关注的焦点,本文综述了转Bt抗虫作物以植株残体、根系分泌物、花粉等形式释放的Bt毒蛋白通过田间耕作等方式进入土壤后的一些安全性问题,包括土壤活性颗粒对Bt毒蛋白的吸附作用。Bt毒蛋白在土壤中的杀虫活性、存留,土壤微生物对Bt毒蛋白的降解作用以及Bt毒蛋白对土壤生物的影响等。     

转Bt基因作物杀虫蛋白土壤残留及检测研究进展

随着转Bt基因作物的大面积推广和应用,其释放的毒蛋白在土壤中的残留及对土壤生态系统的影响等问题已经成为人们关注的热点。国内外学者们通过室内构建大田模拟模型的方法对土壤中残留的Bt毒蛋白进行了研究,并取得了显著的进展。土壤是生态系统中物质循环和能量转化过程的主要场所,转Bt基因植物的外源基因表达的Bt毒蛋白可以通过植株残体、根及根系分泌物和花粉的散播等途径进入土壤生态系统,这些高度特化了的Bt毒素蛋白一旦在土壤中积累,将会导致土壤特异生物功能类群以及土壤多样性发生改变,甚至产生级联效应。大量研究表明,苏云金芽孢杆菌产生的Bt毒蛋白进入土壤后,可与土壤粘粒和腐质酸迅速结合,不易分离,而且较之游离态,更难被土壤微生物降解。纯化的Bt毒蛋白与无菌土壤中活性颗粒紧密结合后,存留时间至少可达234d。虽然结合态的Bt蛋白用酶联免疫法(ELISA)方法检测不到,但生物测定表明其仍保持杀虫活性。对转Bt基因作物的研究表明,Bt棉组织埋入土壤7d内,土壤中可提取的杀虫晶体蛋白浓度快速下降,之后下降速度比较稳定,甚至维持数周不变。而Bt玉米根系分泌物和植株残体释放的杀虫晶体蛋白在土壤中至少保持180d杀虫活性。虽然关于Bt毒蛋白在土壤中存留时间的长短,可能因实验材料、试验方法和条件的不同而不同。但是总之,如果长期种植转Bt基因作物,很可能会造成Bt毒蛋白在土壤中的积累,并最终威胁到整个土壤生态系统的平衡。目前对土壤中Bt毒蛋白定性和定量检测的方法主要有印迹分析法(Western-blotting)、SDS-PAGE法、斑点印迹酶联免疫吸附法(dot-blotELISA)、流式细胞仪法(Flowcytometer,FCM)、ELISA平板试剂盒及试剂条和生物测定法。其中最直接、简易、准确的方法是ELISA平板试剂盒及试纸条快速检测法和生物测定法。但检测土壤残留Bt毒蛋白时,采用的方法不同,检测的结果也有差异。     

种植Bt水稻后的土壤对赤子爱胜蚓生长发育及酶活性的影响

【背景】转基因作物种植的安全问题一直备受关注。关于Bt蛋白对地下非靶标生物影响的研究是转基因作物安全评价的重要内容。【方法】在转Bt基因水稻收割后的稻田里分别种植豌豆、紫云英和油菜作为后茬作物。分别于2013年1、3和6月3次采集不同后茬作物田中的土壤作为材料,于室内饲养赤子爱胜蚓,4周和7周后,测定蚯蚓的生长发育指标、存活率以及体内酶活性的变化情况。此外,还测定了不同深度土壤中Bt蛋白的含量以及用Bt蛋白直接饲喂的赤子爱胜蚓的存活率。【结果】与种植过非转基因水稻MH63的土壤相比,分别种植过含cry2A和cry1C基因水稻后的土壤对赤子爱胜蚓的生长发育、存活率及体内酶活性无显著影响。1月份和3月份转cry2A基因水稻田以及1月份转cry1C基因水稻田采集的表层土样中的Bt蛋白含量显著高于地下10 cm和地下20 cm土壤中的含量,地下2层土样中的Cry2A蛋白含量之间无差异。3月份转cry1C基因水稻田以及6月份转cry2A和转cry1C基因水稻田的土壤中Bt蛋白的含量均不受土壤深度的影响。种植的后茬作物对土壤中的Bt蛋白无显著消解作用。室内模拟土壤最高Bt蛋白浓度的条件下,Cry2A蛋白处理的蚯蚓存活率为96.7%,Cry1C蛋白处理的蚯蚓存活率为95.0%,两者与对照相比无显著差异。【结论与意义】转cry2A和cry1C基因Bt水稻的种植对蚯蚓的生长发育和体内酶活性无显著影响。本研究为转基因水稻的安全评价提供了一定的依据。     

转Bt基因作物毒素土壤存活特性及与土壤性质的关系研究进展

随着转Bt基因作物的推广和应用,其对生态环境及其它方面可能产生的影响越来越受到重视。加之Bt毒素蛋白检测技术的发展,国外学者们围绕纯化毒素蛋白与土壤的相互关系等方面开展了大量研究,并取得了一些结果。本文介绍了转Bt基因作物产生的毒素蛋白的杀虫特性,杀虫蛋白的测定方法,转Bt基因作物向大田释放存在的潜在风险及土壤矿物质,有机质,有机矿质复合体对纯化Bt毒素存活的影响,毒素在根际土壤中的行为等方面的研究现状,最后,提出了今后有关研究应注意的几个问题。     

Bt毒素在转基因棉花与土壤系统中的分布

研究了转Bt基因棉花与土壤系统中Bt毒素的分布.结果表明,两种转Bt基因棉花地上部(叶片、茎秆)的毒素表达量(103.5～134.1 ng·g^-1)显著高于地下部分(根系)(44.7～21.2 ng·g^-1),土壤中Bt毒素总量可通过转基因棉花地上部分秸秆的处理得到控制;Bt毒素在转Bt基因棉花根系分泌物中的含量极低,如果控制Bt毒素的其它导入来源,将显著降低转Bt基因作物释放中因Bt毒素导入而引发的对土壤生态系统的扰动.     

转Bt基因水稻对土壤微生态系统的潜在影响

随着转基因作物商品化应用的增多,对其进行生态风险性评价尤为重要.国内外对转基因作物中外源基因向野生亲缘物种漂移的可能性、昆虫对抗虫转基因作物的耐受性以及转基因作物对生物多样性的潜在影响等问题进行了广泛的研究.文中从Bt杀虫结晶蛋白在土壤中的残留特性、Bt杀虫晶体蛋白对土壤微生物可培养类群和土壤酶活性的影响等方面对转Bt基因抗虫水稻的潜在生态风险性进行了简要综述,以期为同类研究提供有益的信息.     

转Bt基因作物对土壤生态影响的研究进展

将Bt基因加以修饰改造后转入农作物中进行表达,使其成为具有抵抗特异害虫能力的转Bt基因作物。转Bt基因作物的产物Bt蛋白通过作物残体、根系分泌物和花粉3种方式进入土壤。Bt蛋白在土壤中会发生富集作用,其含量在作物的不同发育期有所不同。Bt蛋白会对土壤蛋白酶、脲酶、蔗糖酶、磷酸酶、脱氢酶等土壤酶活性和土壤细菌、真菌、放线菌等土壤微生物以及土壤线虫、环节动物、昆虫和蜘蛛等土壤动物产生影响。     

转Bt基因植物对蜜蜂的安全性研究进展

蜜蜂是农业生态系统中重要的传粉昆虫,也是重要的经济昆虫.其可通过取食抗虫转基因作物花粉而摄取到外源转基因杀虫蛋白.因此,蜜蜂通常作为重要的指示物种用于转基因抗虫作物的环境安全评价工作中.本文在总结国内外相关研究数据的基础上,系统分析了抗虫转基因作物的种植对蜜蜂的安全性,获得以下结论:Bt杀虫蛋白具有较强的杀虫专一性,当前商业化应用的Bt杀虫蛋白对蜜蜂没有直接毒性,因此,转Bt基因作物的种植不会对蜜蜂种群及其发挥的重要生态功能产生显著的负面影响.而早期曾用于植物转基因的蛋白酶抑制剂和植物凝集素对蜜蜂的生长发育及行为具有显著的不利影响,因此,表达这类杀虫蛋白的转基因作物应该不会进入商业化应用.     

家蚕氨肽酶和类钙粘蛋白与苏云金芽孢杆菌Cry1Ac毒素相互作用

苏云金芽孢杆菌Bacillus thuringiensis生产的晶体毒素被广泛用作农林害虫的杀虫剂。鳞翅目昆虫受体蛋白是阐明其与晶体毒素相互作用的重要模式。文中纯化了苏云金芽孢杆菌的晶体毒素蛋白,质谱鉴定为Cry1Ac毒素,然后重组表达家蚕氨肽酶N (BmAPN6) 和类钙粘蛋白 (CaLP) 结合结构域。利用免疫共沉淀、Far-Western印迹和酶联免疫吸附试验,证明Cry1Ac毒素蛋白和BmAPN6之间的相互作用。在Sf9细胞中,对Cry1Ac毒素的细胞毒活性分析,表明BmAPN6参与Cry1Ac毒素诱导的细胞形态异常和裂解死亡。文中也利用相同的方法,对钙粘蛋白的3个结合位点CR7、CR11和CR12进行相互作用分析,结果表明3个重复结构域是CaLP的Cry1Ac结合位点。上述结果表明,BmAPN6和CaLP可作为Cry1Ac毒素致病的功能性受体,为进一步揭示晶体毒素的致病机制和基因编辑增强家蚕抗病性提供了研究靶标。     

Susceptibility of legume pod borer (LPB), Maruca vitrata to delta-endotoxins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in Taiwan

Baseline susceptibility of legume pod borer (LPB) to the insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs) from Bacillus thuringiensis, viz, Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1Ca and Cry2Aa was assessed in Taiwan. Insect bioassays were performed by incorporating the Bt delta-endotoxins into the LPB artificial diet. The efficacy of different Bt delta-endotoxins against second instar larvae of LPB showed that the toxin Cry1Ab was the most potent toxin (LC(50) 0.207ppm), followed by Cry1Ca, Cry1Aa, Cry2Aa and Cry1Ac in descending order, with LC(50)s 0.477ppm, 0.812ppm, 1.058ppm and 1.666ppm, respectively. Hence, Cry1Ab and/or Cry1Ca toxins would provide effective control of early larval stages of LPB.     

Mechanisms for Bt Toxin Resistance and Increased Chemical Pesticide Susceptibility in Cry1Ac10-resistant Cultured Insect Cells

Cabbage looper moth (Trichoplusia ni) cell line BTI-Tn-5B1-4 (TnH5) has developed high-level resistance (>1000 fold) by the selection of Bt Cry1Ac10 toxin. In order to examine mechanisms of resistance to Cry1Ac10 toxin (biological pesticide), both general esterase activities and cell tolerance to osmotic lysis were compared between non-selected Cry1Ac10-susceptible Trichoplusia ni cell line TnH5-S and Cry1Ac10-resistant Trichoplusia ni cell line TnH5-R selected by Bt Cry1Ac10. The Cry1Ac10-resistant TnH5-R cells had lower general esterase activity than the non-selected TnH5-S cells, and the esterase isozyme bands for the Cry1Ac10-resistant TnH5-R cells were much weaker than that for the non-selected TnH5-S cells. Both activated Cry1Ac10 toxin and multi-toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai GC-91 (an engineering bacterium) could not inhibit the esterase activity both in the Cry1Ac10-susceptible and Cry1Ac10-resistant cells, but two chemical pesticides, chlopyrifos and methomyl, could greatly inhibit the esterase activities both in the TnH5-R and TnH5-S cells. On the other hand, cell tolerance to osmotic lysis caused by hypotonic solution for the Cry1Ac10-resistant TnH5-R cells was higher than that for the non-selected TnH5-S cells (2.5×). Based on these results, we made the following conclusions. The general esterase activities in the Cry1Ac10-resistant TnH5-R cells was not related to Bt Cry1Ac10 resistance, but the susceptibility to the two tested chemical pesticides increased in TnH5-R cells because of their lower esterase activity. The increase of cell tolerance to osmotic lysis for the Cry1Ac10-resistant TnH5-R cells may be one of the mechanisms for Bt toxin resistance because midgut cells of insects are also disrupted by an osmotic lysis caused by Bt toxin.     

Early warning of cotton bollworm resistance associated with intensive planting of Bt cotton in China

Transgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins kill some key insect pests, but evolution of resistance by pests can reduce their efficacy. The predominant strategy for delaying pest resistance to Bt crops requires refuges of non-Bt host plants to promote survival of susceptible pests. To delay pest resistance to transgenic cotton producing Bt toxin Cry1Ac, farmers in the United States and Australia planted refuges of non-Bt cotton, while farmers in China have relied on "natural" refuges of non-Bt host plants other than cotton. Here we report data from a 2010 survey showing field-evolved resistance to Cry1Ac of the major target pest, cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), in northern China. Laboratory bioassay results show that susceptibility to Cry1Ac was significantly lower in 13 field populations from northern China, where Bt cotton has been planted intensively, than in two populations from sites in northwestern China where exposure to Bt cotton has been limited. Susceptibility to Bt toxin Cry2Ab did not differ between northern and northwestern China, demonstrating that resistance to Cry1Ac did not cause cross-resistance to Cry2Ab, and implying that resistance to Cry1Ac in northern China is a specific adaptation caused by exposure to this toxin in Bt cotton. Despite the resistance detected in laboratory bioassays, control failures of Bt cotton have not been reported in China. This early warning may spur proactive countermeasures, including a switch to transgenic cotton producing two or more toxins distinct from Cry1A toxins.     

Different cross-resistance patterns in the diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) resistant to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1C.

Two strains of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), were selected using Cry1C protoxin and transgenic broccoli plants expressing a Cry1C toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Both strains were resistant to Cry1C but had different cross-resistance patterns. We used 12 Bt protoxins for cross-resistance tests, including Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1Bb, Cry1C, Cry1D, Cry1E, Cry1F, Cry1J, Cry2Ab, Cry9Aa, and Cry9C. Compared with the unselected sister strain (BCS), the resistance ratio (BR) of one strain (BCS-Cry1C-1) to the Cry1C protoxin was 1,090-fold with high level of cross-resistance to Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1F, and Cry1J (RR > 390-fold). The cross-resistance to Cry1A, Cry1F, and Cry1J in this strain was probably related to the Cry1A resistance gene(s) that came from the initial field population and was caused by intensive sprayings of Bt products containing Cry1A protoxins. The neonates of this strain can survive on transgenic broccoli plants expressing either Cry1Ac or Cry1C toxins. The other strain (BCS-Cry1C-2) was highly resistant to Cry1C but not cross-resistant to other Bt protoxins. The neonates of this strain can survive on transgenic broccoli expressing Cry1C toxin but not Cry1Ac toxin. The gene(s) conferring resistance to Cry1C segregates independently from Cry1Ac resistance in these strains. The toxicity of Cry1E and Cry2Ab protoxins was low to all of the three strains. The overall progress of all work has resulted in a unique model system to test the stacked genes strategy for resistance management of Bt transgenic crops.     

Bacillus thuringiensis protein transfer between rootstock and scion of grafted poplar

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ac protein is a toxin against different leaf‐eating lepidopteran insects that attack poplar trees. In the present study, the mode of migration of the Bt‐Cry1Ac protein within poplar grafts was investigated. Grafting was done using Pb29 (transgenic poplar 741 with cry1Ac genes), CC71 (transgenic poplar 741 with cry3A genes), non‐transgenic poplar 741 and non‐transgenic Populus tomentosa, either as scion or as rootstock. In order to detect migration of Bt‐Cry1Ac protein from one portion of the graft union to different tissues in the grafted plant, ELISA analysis was employed to assess the content of Bt‐Cry1Ac protein in the phloem, xylem, pith and leaves of the grafted poplar. To further verify migration of Bt‐Cry1Ac protein, Clostera anachoreta larvae, which are susceptible to Bt‐Cry1Ac protein, were fed leaves from the control graft (i.e., graft portion that originally did not contain Bt‐Cry1Ac protein). The results showed that Bt‐Cry1Ac protein was transported between rootstock and scion mainly through the phloem. Migration of Bt‐Cry1Ac protein in the grafted union was also evidenced in that the leaves of the control graft did have a lethal effect on C. anachoreta larvae in laboratory feeding experiments.     

Binding of Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ac to multiple sites of cadherin in pink bollworm

Toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely used for pest control. In particular, Bt toxin Cry1Ac produced by transgenic cotton kills some key lepidopteran pests. We found that Cry1Ac binds to recombinant peptides corresponding to extracellular regions of a cadherin protein (BtR) in a major cotton pest, pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) (PBW). In conjunction with previous results showing that PBW resistance to Cry1Ac is linked with mutations in the BtR gene, the results reported here support the hypothesis that BtR is a receptor for Cry1Ac in PBW. Similar to other lepidopteran cadherins that bind Bt toxins, BtR has at least two Cry1Ac-binding domains in cadherin-repeat regions 10 and 11, which are immediately adjacent to the membrane proximal region. However, unlike cadherins from Manduca sexta and Bombyx mori, toxin binding was not seen in regions more distal from the membrane proximal region. We also found that both the protoxin and activated toxin forms of Cry1Ac bound to recombinant BtR fragments, suggesting that Cry1Ac activation may occur either before or after receptor binding.     

Effects of refuge contamination by transgenes on Bt resistance in pink bollworm (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Refuges of non-Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., are used to delay Bt resistance in pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a pest that eats cotton seeds. Contamination of refuges by Bt transgenes could reduce the efficacy of this strategy. Previously, three types of contamination were identified in refuges: 1) homozygous Bt cotton plants, with 100% of their seeds producing the Bt toxin Cry1Ac; 2) hemizygous Bt plants with 70-80% of their seeds producing Cry1Ac; and 3) non-Bt plants that outcrossed with Bt plants, resulting in bolls with Cry1Ac in 12-17% of their seeds. Here, we used laboratory bioassays to examine the effects of Bt contamination on feeding behavior and survival of pink bollworm that were resistant (rr), susceptible (ss), or heterozygous for resistance (rs) to Cry1Ac. In choice tests, rr and rs larvae did not differ from ss in preference for non-Bt versus Bt seeds. Survival of rr and rs also did not differ from ss on artificial outcrossed bolls (a mixture of 20% Bt and 80% non-Bt cotton seeds). On artificial hemizygous Bt bolls (70% Bt seeds) and homozygous Bt bolls (100% Bt seeds), rr had higher survival than ss, although rs and ss did not differ. In a simulation model, levels of refuge contamination observed in the field had negligible effects on resistance evolution in pink bollworm. However, in hypothetical simulations where contamination conferred a selective advantage to rs over ss individuals in refuges, resistance evolution was accelerated.     

Impact of Water Content and Temperature on the Degradation of Cry1Ac Protein in Leaves and Buds of Bt Cotton in the Soil

Determining the influence of soil environmental factors on degradation of Cry1Ac protein from Bt cotton residues is vital for assessing the ecological risks of this commercialized transgenic crop. In this study, the degradation of Cry1Ac protein in leaves and in buds of Bt cotton in soil was evaluated under different soil water content and temperature settings in the laboratory. An exponential model and a shift-log model were used to fit the degradation dynamics of Cry1Ac protein and estimate the DT₅₀ and DT₉₀ values. The results showed that Cry1Ac protein in the leaves and buds underwent rapid degradation in the early stage (before day 48), followed by a slow decline in the later stage under different soil water content and temperature. Cry1Ac protein degraded the most rapidly in the early stage at 35°C with 70% soil water holding capacity. The DT₅₀ values were 12.29 d and 10.17 d and the DT₉₀ values were 41.06 d and 33.96 d in the leaves and buds, respectively. Our findings indicated that the soil temperature was a major factor influencing the degradation of Cry1Ac protein from Bt cotton residues. Additionally, the relative higher temperature (25°C and 35°C) was found to be more conducive to degradation of Cry1Ac protein in the soil and the greater water content (100%WHC) retarded the process. These findings suggested that under appropriate soil temperature and water content, Cry1Ac protein from Bt cotton residues will not persist and accumulate in soil.     

Genetic mapping of Bt-toxin binding proteins in a Cry1A-toxin resistant strain of diamondback moth Plutella xylostella

A major mechanism of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins in Lepidoptera is a reduction of toxin binding to sites in the midgut membrane. Genetic studies of three different species have shown that mutations in a candidate Bt receptor, a 12-cadherin-domain protein, confer Cry1A toxin resistance. Despite a similar resistance profile in a fourth lepidopteran species, Plutella xylostella, we have previously shown that the cadherin orthologue maps to a different linkage group (LG8) than Cry1Ac resistance (LG22). Here we tested the hypothesis that mutations in other genes encoding candidate Bt-binding targets could be responsible for Bt resistance, by mapping eight aminopeptidases, an alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an intestinal mucin, and a P252 glycoprotein with respect to the 29 AFLP marked linkage groups in a P. xylostella cross segregating for Cry1Ac resistance. A homologue of the Caenorhabditis elegans Bt resistance gene bre-2 was also mapped. None of the genes analysed were on the same chromosome containing the Cry1Ac resistance locus, eliminating them as candidate resistance genes in the parental resistant strain SC1. Although this finding excludes cis-acting mutations in these genes as causing resistance in this strain, one or more of the expressed proteins may still bind Cry1Ac toxin, and post-translational modifications could affect this binding and thereby exert a trans-acting effect on resistance.