Crystal structure of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry7Ca1 toxin active against Locusta migratoria manilensis

Insecticidal crystal (Cry) proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely used as environmentally friendly insecticides. As the only known Cry protein with insecticidal activity against Locusta migratoria manilensis, a locust subspecies that causes extensive destruction of crops, the Cry7Ca1 protein from Bt strain BTH‐13 identified in our previous study is of particular interest to locust prevention and control. However, the three‐dimensional structure of Cry7Ca1 toxin (the active form of the Cry7Ca1 protein) and the mechanisms of the Cry7Ca1 insecticidal specificity remain largely elusive. Here, we report a 2.3 Å crystal structure of the Cry7Ca1 toxin and carry out a systematic comparison of all available Cry toxins structures. A cluster of six loops in Cry toxin domain II, named Apex here, are the most variable structural elements and were documented to contribute in insecticidal specificity. The Cry7Ca1 toxin Apex loops are different from those of other Cry toxins in length, conformation, and sequence. Electrostatic potential analysis further revealed that Cry7Ca1 is the only structure‐available Cry toxin that does not have a high contrast of surface electrostatic potentials in the Apex. We further suggest that the L1/L2 loops in the center of the Cry7Ca1 Apex may be worthy of attention in future efforts to unravel the Cry7Ca1 insecticidal specificity as they exhibit unique features not found in the corresponding regions of other Cry toxins. Our work highlights the uniqueness of the Apex in the Cry7Ca1 toxin and may assist exploration of the insecticidal mechanism of the Cry7Ca1 against Locusta migratoria manilensis.     

Invertebrate pathogenicity and toxin-producing potential of strains of Bacillus thuringiensis endemic to Antarctica

Several strains of Bacillus thuringiensis were previously isolated from soil in Antarctica and appeared to have physiological adaptations to this cold, nutrient-poor environment. In spite of this they could produce abnormally large, parasporal crystals under laboratory conditions. Here, they have been further characterised for toxin genes and invertebrate pathogenicity. All of the strains were positive in PCR assays for the cry1Aa and cry2 genes. This was confirmed by sequence analysis and the parasporal crystals of all strains contained polypeptides of about 130 kDa. This potential for lepidopteran toxicity was borne out in bioassays of purified δ-endotoxins against larvae of Pieris brassicae: the LD₅₀ values of B2408 (288 μg) were comparable to that of the reference strain, HD-12 (201 μg). There was no activity against the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans in spite of the fact that all strains appeared to possess the cry6 gene. PCR screening for genes encoding other nematode-toxic classes of toxins (Cry5, 4 and 21) was negative. B. thuringiensis has never previously been shown to be toxic to Collembola (springtails) but the purified δ-endotoxins of one of the Antarctic strains showed some activity against Folsomia candida and Seira domestica (224 μg and 238 μg, respectively). It seems unlikely that the level of toxicity demonstrated against springtails would support a pathogenic life-style in nature. All of the strains were positive for genes encoding Bacillus cereus-type enterotoxins. In the absence of higher insects and mammals the ecological value of retaining the toxic capability demonstrated here is uncertain.     

Cloning, expression, purification, and characterization of arginine kinase from Locusta migratoria manilensis

Arginine kinase (AK) is a phosphotransferase that plays a critical role in energy metabolism in invertebrates. The gene encoding Locusta migratoria manilensis AK was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli by two prokaryotic expression plasmids, pET-30a and pET-28a. The recombinant protein was expressed as inclusion bodies using pET-30a. After denaturation, the recombinant AK was successfully renatured and confirmed to be enzymatically active. Addition of Tween-20 and SDS to the dilution system led to higher renaturation efficiency. Using another expression plasmid, pET-28a, and changing the expression conditions resulted in a soluble and functional form of AK, which was purified by an improved method using Sephadex G-75 chromotography to a final yield of 358 mg L^− 1 of LB medium. Some parameters for the renatured and soluble forms of AK, including K_m, K_d, specific activity, electrophoretic mobility and isoelectric focusing, were identical with those of AK obtained directly from L. migratoria manilensis leg muscle. Comparison of kinetic constants with those of AKs from other sources indicated that L. migratoria manilensis AKs have the highest k_cat and stronger synergistic substrate binding. The first report of a concise purification method enables the enzyme to be prepared in large quantities. This research should enable further detailed investigations of the enzymatic mechanism by site directed mutagenesis techniques.     

Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxin Cry1Ac domain III enhances activity against Heliothis virescens in some, but not all Cry1-Cry1Ac hybrids

We investigated the role of domain III of Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxin Cry1Ac in determining toxicity against Heliothis virescens. Hybrid toxins, containing domain III of Cry1Ac with domains I and II of Cry1Ba, Cry1Ca, Cry1Da, Cry1Ea, and Cry1Fb, respectively, were created. In this way Cry1Ca, Cry1Fb, and to a lesser extent Cry1Ba were made considerably more toxic.     

东亚飞蝗谷胱甘肽S-转移酶分离纯化

通过硫酸铵沉淀技术和GSH-agarose亲和层析对东亚飞蝗Locusta migratoria manilensis(Meyen)5龄若虫谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(glutathione S-transferases,GSTs)进行了分离纯化。结果表明GSTs活性在硫酸铵各沉淀段均有分布,但在55%～100%沉淀段活性较高,在硫酸铵饱和度为85%时比活力最高,达到420.33μmol/min/mg protein,纯化倍数为18.86。根据硫酸铵粗沉淀谷胱甘肽S-转移酶结果,选择硫酸铵浓度为60%～90%沉淀段进行GSH-agarose亲和层析,纯化后比活力最高达到1365.29μmol/min/mg protein,纯化倍数达到61.25。经SDS-PAGE鉴定,得到的GST为1条带,亚基的分子量约为24kDa。     

东亚飞蝗血细胞形态学研究

通过Wright's染色和光学显微镜对不同地区东亚飞蝗的血细胞进行了观察,发现东亚飞蝗Locusta migratoria manilensis(Meyen)的血细胞包括原血胞、浆血胞、粒血胞和类绛血胞4种类型.原血胞的细胞核为红色,而其它3种血细胞的细胞核均被Wright's染液染成红色和蓝色2种类型.故认为浆血胞是...     

Structural requirements of the unique disulphide bond and the proline-rich motif within the alpha4-alpha5 loop for larvicidal activity of the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry4Aa delta-endotoxin

Both the disulphide bond (Cys192-Cys199) and the proline-rich motif (Pro193ProAsnPro196) in the long loop connecting the alpha4-alpha5 transmembrane hairpin of the Cry4Aa mosquito-larvicidal protein have been found to be unique among the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry delta-endotoxins. In this study, their structural requirements for larvicidal activity of the Cry4Aa toxin were investigated. C192A and C199A mutant toxins were initially generated and over-expressed in Escherichia coli cells as 130-kDa protoxins at levels comparable to that of the wild-type toxin. When their activities against Aedes aegypti larvae were determined, Escherichia coli cells expressing each mutant toxin retained the high-level toxicity. Further mutagenic analysis of the PPNP motif revealed that an almost complete loss in larvicidal activity was observed for the C199A/P193A double mutant, whereas a small reduction in toxicity was shown for the C199A/P194A and C199A/P196A mutants. Increasing the flexibility of the alpha4-alpha5 loop through C199A/P193G, C199A/P194G/P196A, C199A/P194A/P196G, and C199A/P194G/P196G mutations significantly decreased the larvicidal activity. Similar to the wild-type protoxin, all mutant toxins were structurally stable upon solubilisation and trypsin activation in carbonate buffer, pH 9.0. These findings are the first biological evidence for a structural function in larvicidal activity of the unique disulphide bridge as well as the proline-rich motif within the alpha4-alpha5 loop of the Cry4Aa toxin.     

Activation process of the mosquitocidal delta-endotoxin Cry39A produced by Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai BUN1-14 and binding property to Anopheles stephensi BBMV

Most delta-endotoxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis require proteolytic processing in order to become active. The in vitro and in vivo activation processes of Cry39A, a delta-endotoxin that is highly toxic to Anopheles stephensi, were investigated. Cry39A with a molecular mass of 72 kDa was processed in vitro into a 60 kDa fragment by trypsin and gut extract from A. stephensi larvae. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the 60 kDa fragment revealed that trypsin and the protease(s) in the gut extract cleaved Cry39A between Arg(61) and Gly(62). In contrast, 40 and 25 kDa polypeptides were generated in vivo by intramolecular cleavage of the 60 kDa fragment in A. stephensi larvae. Further, a co-precipitation assay was used to investigate the binding property of the activated Cry39A to A. stephensi BBMV. Cry39A bound to A. stephensi BBMV specifically and did not compete with the Cry4Aa toxin. This indicated that the binding molecule(s) for Cry39A might differ from those for Cry4A. In addition, Cry39A preferentially bound to the Triton X-100-insoluble membrane fraction.     

Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxins against codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) larvae

Solubilized protoxins of nine Cry1 and one hybrid Cry1 delta-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis were tested for their activity against larvae of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella L). Cry1Da was the most toxic, followed by Cry1Ab, Cry1Ba, and Cry1Ac, while Cry1Aa, Cry1Fa, Cry1Ia, and SN19 were still less active. Cry1Ca and Cry1Cb showed no activity. In vitro trypsin activation increased activity of all eight active delta-endotoxins, and dramatically enhanced toxicity of hybrid SN19, Cry1Aa, Cry1Ac, and Cry1Fa. The differences between toxicity of proteins before and after trypsin digestion suggests that proteolytic activation in the C. pomonella digestive tract plays a critical role for the activity of Cry proteins against this insect.     

Asn183 in alpha5 is essential for oligomerisation and toxicity of the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry4Ba toxin

The proposed toxicity mechanism of the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry insecticidal proteins involves membrane penetration and lytic pore formation of the alpha4-alpha5 hairpins in the target larval midgut cell membranes. In this study, alanine substitutions of selected polar residues (Tyr(178), Gln(180), Asn(183), Asn(185), and Asn(195)) in the hydrophobic helix-alpha5 of the Cry4Ba mosquito-larvicidal protein were initially conducted via PCR-based directed mutagenesis. Upon IPTG induction, all the 130-kDa mutant protoxins were highly expressed in Escherichia coli as cytoplasmic inclusions, with yields similar to the wild-type protoxin. When E. coli cells expressing each mutant toxin were tested against Stegomyia aegypti mosquito larvae, the larvicidal activity of the N183A mutant was almost completely abolished whereas the four other mutants showed only a small reduction in toxicity. Additionally, replacements of this critical residue with various amino acids revealed that the uncharged polar residue at position 183 in alpha5 is crucial for larvicidal activity. Further characterisation of the N183K bio-inactive mutant revealed that the 65-kDa activated toxin was unable to form oligomers in lipid vesicles and its ability to induce the release of entrapped calcein from liposomes was much weaker than that of the wild-type toxin. These results suggest that the highly conserved Asn(183) located in the middle of the transmembrane alpha5 of Cry4Ba plays a crucial role in toxicity and toxin oligomerisation in the lipid membranes.     

东亚飞蝗主要过敏原的分析、鉴定与纯化

通过十二烷基硫酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)分离东亚飞蝗Locusta migratoria manilensis(Meyen)的蛋白质组分并测定其分子量,收集过敏病人血清,采用免疫印迹(Western—blotting)法鉴定其过敏原成分,通过凝胶过滤层析对东亚飞蝗过敏原进行分离纯化。结果表明:东亚飞蝗蛋白粗提液条带大概有30条左右,其中主带大约有10条,相对分子量约为13、15、25、28、40、45、55、70、100、110ku,其中蛋白含量最丰富的约在70ku左右。免疫印迹结果显示,蝗虫过敏条带主要有5条,相对分子量分别约为19、29、38、70、130ku。通过凝胶过滤层析对东亚飞蝗过敏原进行分离纯化,得到了一个高纯度相对分子质量约为70ku东亚飞蝗过敏原,并且发现了一个相对分子质量约为130ku的蝗虫新过敏原。本研究为临床上蝗虫食物变态反应性疾病的诊断和治疗奠定基础。     

Genetic Variation and Population Structure of Oriental Migratory Locust, Locusta migratoria manilensis, in China by Allozyme, SSRP-PCR, and AFLP Markers

Allozyme analysis, microsatellite primer PCR (SSRP-PCR), and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) techniques were used to assess genetic diversity and population structure of the Chinese oriental migratory locust, Locusta migratoria manilensis. A total of 299 PCR markers (67 SSRPs and 232 AFLPs) were detected in eight populations, of which 98.7% were polymorphic markers. The proportion of polymorphic loci (95.5–98.8%) by SSRP+AFLP markers indicated no significant differences between populations, and all populations exhibited a similar level of variability; results of the allozyme analysis demonstrated that 19 loci gave rise to a lower level of polymorphism (55.6–66.7%). The genetic distances between the populations were relatively low. Shannon’s index and Nei’s gene diversity showed low differentiation among the populations. Allozyme analysis, however, reflected greater similarity and smaller differentiation between the populations than those shown by SSRP and AFLP markers. Neighbor-joining dendrograms derived from both the allozyme and SSRP+AFLP markers showed that the genetic distances among Chinese oriental migratory locust populations were not greatly influenced by geographic distance and breeding habitats.     

不同食料植物对东亚飞蝗肠道细菌状况的影响

目的比较在相同的环境条件下不同食料植物对东亚飞蝗肠道细菌状况的影响。方法以墨西哥玉米、野生马唐为食料植物饲喂东亚飞蝗,在其成虫肠道内和粪沙中分离纯化细菌,获得22株菌株,分别对其培养性状、菌体形态、染色反应和生理生化性状进行系统研究。结果上述22个菌株分别属于稀有杆菌属（Rarobact-er）、短状杆菌属（Brachybacterium）、棒杆菌属（Corynebacterium）、棍状菌属（Clavibacter）、葡萄球菌属（Staphylococ-cus）、丙酸杆菌属（Propionibacterium）、埃希菌属（Eschrichia）、气微杆菌属（Aercmicrobium）、沙雷菌属（Serratia）、克雷伯菌属（Klebsiella）、沙门菌属（Salmonella）、志贺菌属（Shigella）、口腔球菌属（Stomatococcus）、短杆菌属（Brevibacteri-um）、地杆菌属（Terrbacter）、微小杆菌属（Exiguobacterium）、皮杆菌属（Dermabacter）、短小杆菌属（Curtobacterium）、纤维单胞菌属（Cellulomonas）、微杆菌属（Microbacterium）、乳杆菌属（Lactobacillus）和凝结芽胞杆菌属（Bacilluscoag-ulans）。结论不同食料植物对东亚飞蝗肠道细菌种类和数量有很大的影响。     

东亚飞蝗羧酸酯酶基因的克隆和原核表达

羧酸酯酶是昆虫体内重要的代谢解毒酶系,其主要功能是水解和结合内源性和外源性含有酯键的有毒物质,减缓其到达靶标部位的时间。东亚飞蝗Locusta migratoria manilensis(Meyen)是我国重要的农业害虫,对其羧酸酯酶基因克隆和表达有助于深入探索杀虫剂代谢毒理机制。本研究首先对羧酸酯酶基因(CarE4)进行了克隆,并将其插入到pCold TF DNA Vector中,在大肠杆菌中进行了原核表达,最后用疏水层析和离子交换层析方法对目的蛋白进行了纯化。本文成功建立了羧酸酯酶蛋白原核表达和纯化技术体系,为进一步研究东亚飞蝗羧酸酯酶的生理功能、结构特点和作用原理提供了基础资料。     

白洋淀蝗区东亚飞蝗的分布与土壤的关系研究

从土壤的质地、含水量、pH值和含盐量等方面 ,研究了白洋淀东亚飞蝗Locustamigratoriamanilensis(Meyen)蝗区的土壤状况 ;并结合实地考察的样点处蝗虫密度情况 ,研究了蝗虫不同密度区土壤之间的差异。结果表明 ,研究区蝗虫密度在 3 0头 m2 以上的地区 ,土壤质地为粉砂壤土 ,土壤pH值为7 2 6～ 8 1 2 ,土壤含盐量为 0 0 67%～ 0 2 0 7%。粉砂壤土中 ,砂粒含量较多、粗粉粒含量较少的地方 ,是东亚飞蝗比较理想的生存与活动场所 ;土壤含水量偏高、呈弱碱性的地方 ,适于东亚飞蝗的生存和活动。在研究区 ,土壤含盐量差异对东亚飞蝗的密度分布没有明显的影响。     

磁场对东亚飞蝗体色的影响

本试验用0.45T的稳定磁场处理东亚飞蝗Locusta migratoria manilensis(Meyen)的若虫和成虫,在温度为(35±2)℃、光周期为(L∶D=10∶14)、光照度12000lx、相对湿度64%的光照培养箱中饲养,历时38d,发现该磁场对东亚飞蝗体表色素的变化有明显的影响,主要表现为草绿色、乳黄色和浅白色等几种颜色,对开发昆虫宠物市场有一定的启发。     

东亚飞蝗谷胱甘肽S-转移酶RNA干扰效率研究

东亚飞蝗Locusta migratoria manilensis(Meyen)是我国主要的农业害虫之一,已发现东亚飞蝗对某些农药产生了抗性,其抗性机制可能与谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GST)代谢解毒相关.本研究利用特异性引物合成东亚飞蝗GST 4个不同家族基因的双链RNA(dsRNA),将dsRNA注射到东亚飞蝗幼虫体内,采...     

东亚飞蝗感染绿僵菌后的组织病理变化

将人工培养的绿僵菌分生孢子配制成浓度为 1× 1 0 8分生孢子 mL的孢子油剂 ,涂抹在供试东亚飞蝗Locustamigratoriamanilensis(Meyen)幼虫的腹侧部。通过组织切片研究表明 ,绿僵菌主要是从东亚飞蝗体表侵入的 ,72h后可见体腔内有菌丝和组织病变 ,侵入体内的菌丝在血腔中不断增殖 ,使得脂肪体、肌肉组织、马氏管和消化道发生病变解体。 96h后 ,肠壁细胞结构开始疏松、内膜解体。 1 2 0h后 ,多数幼虫死亡 ,消化道内外布满菌丝。     

Toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxins against bean shoot borer (Epinotia aporema Wals.) larvae, a major soybean pest in Argentina

The toxicity of seven Bacillus thuringiensis Cry protoxins was tested against neonate larvae of Epinotia aporema, a major soybean pest in Argentina and South America. The most active protoxins were Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac, with LC50 values of 0.55 and 1.39 microg/ml, respectively. Cry1Aa, Cry1Ba, Cry1Ca, and Cry9Ca protoxins were equally toxic with LC50 values about 4 microg/ml, whereas Cry1Da was not toxic. The synergistic activity of different protoxin-mixtures was also analyzed, no synergistic effect between the Cry proteins was observed, with the exception of the poorly toxic Cry1Ba/Cry1Da mixture that was slightly synergistic. The binding capacity of individual Cry1 and Cry9Ca toxins to brush border membranes of E. aporema was also determined. The non-toxic Cry1Da toxin was the only toxin unable to bind to E. aporema membranes. In addition the heterologous competition experiments showed that Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac toxins share a common binding site. Based on these data, we propose that Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac toxins could be used in the biological control of E. aporema.