Characterization of the highly variable <Emphasis Type="Italic">cry</Emphasis> gene regions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis> strain ly4a3 by PCR-SSCP profiling and sequencing

Characterization of cry gene contents can help to predict the insecticidal activities of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates and in the searching of new cry genes. PCR-Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) profiling and sequencing of the highly variable cry gene regions were used to characterize cry gene content of B. thuringiensis strain ly4a3. The highly variable regions with about 1100 bp in sizes were amplified using a degenerate primer pair for cry genes, OL2(d) and OL5(r). A library of the PCR product was constructed, and all white colonies were subjected to PCR using another degenerate primer pair for cry genes, OL3(d) and OL5(r), with products about 250 bp in sizes. Two different profiles were observed based on SSCP profiling for the PCR products. The cry genes in the two corresponding colonies were sequenced and their deduced amino acids showed high identities to Cry1Ab (84.5%∼98.4%) and Cry1I (88.78%∼98.4%), respectively. This method allows the quick characterization of cry gene content of B. thuringiensis isolates and the detection of new cry genes.     

Bt新菌株资源的采集与鉴定

【目的】寻找对致倦库蚊高效的苏云金芽胞杆菌(Bacillus thuringiensis,Bt)杀蚊菌株新资源。【方法】从福建省的武夷山自然保护区、建阳、建瓯、浦城等多个地区采集土壤样品,采用热处理法从土壤中分离Bt菌株,并测定其对致倦库蚊活性的效果。【结果】从125份土壤样品中分离出71株Bt菌株,经生物测定得到4株对致倦库蚊有效菌株(QQ13、QQ42、QQ66和QQ92)。其中,QQ66和QQ92有较高的毒性,均有几丁质酶基因,没有检测到cry1、cry1Ⅰ、cry2、cry4、cry5、cry6、cry7、cry8、cry9、cry10和cry11基因,在75～100 ku处各有一条杀虫晶体蛋白条带。【结论】采集和鉴定到的Bt新菌株资源将对致倦库蚊的生物防治起到促进作用。     

苏云金芽胞杆菌幕虫亚种晶胞粘连现象与晶体蛋白基因cry26Aa所在质粒有关

苏云金芽胞杆菌幕虫亚种T02菌株的伴胞晶体在芽胞外壁内侧形成,呈现晶胞粘连的现象。在此菌株中克隆了cry26Aa和cry28Aa两个基因,并对晶胞粘连现象与质粒的相关性做了系统研究。通过消除幕虫亚种T02菌株的质粒,得到了仅消除cry26Aa所在质粒的菌株BMB1151和无质粒的菌株BMB1152。通过穿梭载体将cry26Aa和cry28Aa两个基因分别和同时转化无质粒突变株BMB1152并表达,形成的晶体与芽胞独立存在不能粘连,表明在幕虫亚种染色体背景下仅仅cry的表达不能形成晶胞粘连现象,从而推断晶胞粘连现象可能与幕虫亚种两个基因所在的质粒有关;进一步的研究发现将cry26Aa在仅消除cry26Aa所在质粒的突变株BMB1151中表达,形成的晶体与芽胞也分别独立存在不能粘连,从而进一步推断幕虫亚种晶胞粘连现象与cry26Aa所在质粒有关。     

Novel toxicity of native and HD Bacillus thuringiensis strains against to the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis

Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a pest that causes great economic losses to sugarcane producers in Mexico. In order to obtain alternatives for control of this pest, several Bacillus thuringiensis strains (native and from the Howard Dulmage collection) were tested. In bioassays, strains HD-133, HD-551, GM-7, GM-10, and GM-34 caused more than 50% mortality with a 50 g/ml spore-crystal complex concentration, and were selected as toxic strains. The lowest LC₅₀ value corresponded to GM-34 (33.21 g/ml). Cry1B and cry1C genes were detected by PCR analysis in the toxic strains. HD-133 and GM-10 habored cry1C gene, HD-551 and GM-7 strains harbored cry1B gene, while GM34 strain did not contain cry1B nor cry1C. An additional PCR analysis was performed to detect cry1A-type genes. All the toxic strains habor at least one cry1A-type gene. Immunoblotting revealed that all strains cross-reacted with an antiCry1A, and only the HD-551 gave a positive signal with antiCry1B polyclonal antisera. GM-7 crystal protein showed no cross-reaction with polyclonal Cry1B antiserum. The toxicity of these strains may be related to some member of the Cry1A toxin class.     

Distribution and diversity of Dipteran-specific cry and cyt genes in native Bacillus thuringiensis strains obtained from different ecosystems of Iran

One hundred and twenty-eight Bacillus thuringiensis isolates from fields of different ecological regions of Iran were collected to study the distribution and diversity of Dipteran-specific cry and cyt genes. The percentage of samples with Bt showed significant differences between different regions and also between different fields. The most Bt frequency was observed in the soil samples collected from Caspianic zone (7%) and soils of cotton (17%). Characterization of isolates was based on morphological characteristics of crystals, plasmid profiles and protein band patterns as well as PCR analysis using general and specific primers for 22 different cry and cyt genes encoding proteins active against mosquitoes. Thirty-eight different cry gene profiles were detected in this collection. Several of them were found to be different from all previously published profiles and none of the previous researches reported these numbers of profiles. Strains containing cry2-type genes were the most abundant and represent 57.1% of the isolates. Strains harboring cry24 and cry10 genes were also highly abundant (38.7 and 32.8%, respectively). cry11, cry4, cry17, cry19, cry21, cry29, cyt1, and cry9 genes were less abundant, found in 25.7, 14.3, 11.4, 1.4, 4.3, 1.4, and 10% of the strains, respectively. Among the cry2 gene containing isolates, 37.5% strains harbored cry2Aa, 55% cry2Ab, 2.5% cry2Ac, and 5% other or novel cry2-type genes. Among the cry4 gene containing isolates, 0% strains harbored cry4A, 60% cry4B, and 40% cry4C, cry4D or novel cry4 type genes. Finally, based on crystal morphology, protein patterns and PCR, 21 strains were selected as potentially high Dipteran-active for bioassays. Also our results showed that some of the isolates may harbor minimum a putative novel cry gene.     

Expression of hybrid <Emphasis Type="Italic">cry</Emphasis>3aM–<Emphasis Type="Italic">lic</Emphasis>BM2 genes in transgenic potatoes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum tuberosum</Emphasis>)

The full-modified Bacillus thuringiensis cry3a (cry3aM) gene was designed and synthesized for effective expression in plants. A plant expression vector pC29RBCS-leader-cry3aM–licBM2 was constructed for potato transformation. In this vector, the cry3aM sequence was fused in reading frame with a new reporter gene (licBM2) and a leader sequence for the rbcs gene. The reporter gene encoded thermostable lichenase and the leader sequence encoded a signal peptide for transporting protein product to chloroplasts. The vector contained the light-inducible promoter for rbcs gene isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana. Transgenic plants were obtained by Agrobacterium mediated transformation using microtuber explants. Transgenic plantlets were selected by kanamycin resistance and confirmed as transgenic by PCR with specific primers, evaluation of lichenase activity, and bioassay of Colorado potato beetle neonate larvae. Promoter activity assays under light induction (kinetic analysis) using lichenase activity and bioassay both showed high and stable expression of hybrid genes in transgenic plantlets. Furthermore, the presence of lichenase as a reporter protein in the composition of hybrid protein was shown to facilitate selection and analysis of the expression level of hybrid genes in transgenic plants.     

Isolation and characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis> strains from different grain habitats in Turkey

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium and it produces insecticidal crystal (cry) proteins during sporulation. Because the genetic diversity and toxic potential of Bt strains differ from region to region, strains have been collected and characterized all over the world. The aim of this study is to isolate Bt strains in grain-related habitats in Turkey and to characterize them on the basis of crystal morphology, cry gene content, and chromosomal and plasmid DNA profiles. Four approaches were taken analysis with phase contrast (PC) microscopy, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and plasmid isolation. Ninety-six samples were collected from Central Anatolia and the Aegean region. Bt was isolated from 61 of 96 samples (63.5) and 500 Bt-like colonies were obtained. One hundred and sixty three of the colonies were identified as Bt based on cry protein formation using PC microscopy. Among the examined colonies, the overall proportion identified (as Bt index) was 0.33. We found that 103 isolates were positive for the five different cry genes (cry1, cry2, cry3, cry4 and cry9) examined with PCR. In addition, plasmid profiling of 37 cry gene-positive isolates indicated that the 15 kb plasmid band was present in all isolates; however, 11 of 37 isolates had more than one plasmid band at different sizes. Finally, chromosomal DNA profiling by PFGE gave rise to different DNA patterns for isolates containing the same cry gene which suggests a high level of diversity among the Bt strains isolated.     

Cry3Aa11: A New Cry3Aa δ-Endotoxin from a Local Isolate of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis>

A local isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis Mm2 had insecticidal activity against the larvae of Melolontha melolontha, Agelastica alni, Leptinotarsa decemlineata and Amphimallon solstitiale and produced a 65 kDa protein. SDS-PAGE profile of B. thuringiensis Mm2 was compared with those of 29 different Cry3Aa producers which verified Cry3Aa biosynthesis by the isolate. The cry3Aa gene of Mm2 was cloned, sequenced and the deduced amino acid sequence was compared with the cry3Aa sequences of ten different quaternary ranks. Its identity to these sequences ranged between 97.4% and 99.2%. The gene was next cloned into E. coli-Bacillus shuttle vector pNW33N and expressed at a low level in B. subtilis 168.     

Expression of the full-length and 3'-spliced cry1Ab gene in the 135-kDa crystal protein minus derivative of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kyushuensis

Bacillus thuringiensis produces a 130–135-kDa insecticidal protein in the form of bipyramidal crystal which is toxic to lepidopteran larvae. Part of the C-terminal region of the native Cry1Ab was replaced by a heterologous sequence of Cry11Aa C-terminus to get a 3′-spliced cry1Ab gene. The full-length cry1Ab and 3′-spliced cry1Ab, which were both cloned into the E. coli–B. thuringiensis shuttle expression vector pHZB1, were expressed in a 135-kDa crystal protein minus derivative of B. thuringiensis subsp. kyushuensis (4U1-Cry⁻¹³⁵). The crystal shape of Cry1Ab proteins from both recombinants was regularly bipyramidal, while the crystal size of the intact Cry1Ab was approximately fivefold larger than the 3′-spliced Cry1Ab. In addition, these two kinds of Cry1Ab proteins had similar toxicity against Argyrogramma agnata larvae. Received: 19 October 2001 / Accepted: 7 December 2001     

Host range and gene contents of Bacillus thuringiensis strains toxic towards Spodoptera exigua

Thirty-five strains of the entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensisactive on Spodoptera exigua, were characterized by means of serological identification and determination of crygene contents by PCR. The insecticidal activity of these 35 strains was further confirmed against S. exiguaand tested against two other species of the same genus: S. littoralisand S. frugiperda. The results indicate that serovars aizawai, thuringiensis, and kurstakiwere the most frequent within S. exigua-active strains and that serovar aizawaihad the highest number of strains exhibiting toxicity against the three species bioassayed. The presence in crygenes as determined by PCR suggests a non random distribution of some crygenes among serovars. Genes cry1C, cry1D, and cry1E, which are known to code for proteins toxic against Spodopteraspecies, were very common within S. exigua-active strains, specially in those belonging to serovar aizawai. However, some strains harbouring one or more of these genes were not toxic to S. littoralisor S. frugiperda; and some strains lacking all of the Spodoptera-active genes were found to be toxic to all three species. This suggests differences in the expression levels among strains bearing toxic genes and the involvement of other genes toxic to Spodopteraspecies. Since strains sharing the same crygenes exhibited different host ranges, the results indicate the need to perform toxicity bioassays in addition to other tests (serological identification and PCR) in order to determine the insecticidal activity of B. thuringiensisstrains.     

Bacillus thuringiensis protein production, signal transduction, and insect control in chemically inducible PR-1a/cry1Ab broccoli plants

In an effort to develop a chemically inducible system for insect management, we studied production of Cry1Ab Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) protein and control of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L., in inducer-treated and untreated tissues of a broccoli line transformed with a PR-1a/cry1Ab expression cassette. Spraying leaves of these plants with the inducer acibenzolar-S-methyl (= 1,2,3 benzothiadiazole-7-thiocarboxylic acid-S-methyl-ester) (ASM) triggered expression of the cry1Ab gene and produced a high level of Cry1Ab protein within 2–3 days. Cry1Ab protein persisted in leaves for at least 8 weeks, providing prolonged protection from P. xylostella attack. Signals generated in inducer-treated leaves were transferred to untreated newly emerged leaves or heads, as seen by production of Cry1Ab protein and/or protection from insect damage in these plant parts. Signal transduction proceeded in an attenuated manner up to the sixth newly emerged leaf. No Cry1Ab protein was detectable by ELISA in uninduced young leaves, but small amounts of the protein were present in uninduced leaves older than 3 weeks and caused some insect mortality. Such basal expression of Bt genes without induction may favor the evolution of resistant insect populations and therefore limits the application of the PR-1a/cry1Ab system for insect management. However, the rapid production and steady maintenance of a high level of transgenic protein upon induction, the signal transduction observed, and the fact that the chemical inducer can be used in field conditions make the PR-1a promoter attractive for chemical regulation of other agriculturally or pharmaceutically important genes for which low expression in the absence of induction is not a concern.     

Cloning and expression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis cry</Emphasis>11 crystal protein gene in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

The six most toxic Pakistani isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis (SBS Bt-23, 29, 34, 37, 45 and 47), which were previously characterized for their toxicity against larvae of mosquito, Anopheles stephensi, and the presence of cry4 gene, were used for cry11 (cry4D) gene amplification. A 1.9-kb DNA fragment of cry11 gene was PCR-amplified, cloned in expression vector pT7-7, and then used for transformation of E. coli BL21C. The optimum expression was obtained with 1 mM IPTG at 37°C for 3 h. This gene showed different percentage homologies at protein level with scattered mutations in the toxic region. Biotoxicity assay of recombinant protein showed that Cry11 of SBS Bt 45 (DAB Bt 5) was the most toxic protein against third instar larvae of mosquito, A. stephensi, and has potentiality of a bioinsecticide against mosquitoes.     

Insecticidal activity of a cryia(c) transgene in callus derived from regeneration-recalcitrant cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Summary The insecticidal effectiveness of a δ-endotoxin Cry protein from Bacillus thuringiensis in non-regenerable callus of a commercial Gossypium hirsutum L. variety was investigated. Two transgenic callus types were generated. The first callus type harbored the cry1A(c) gene and the hygromycin B phosphotransferase hpt selectable marker gene. The second callus type, the transgenic control, carried the marker genes β-glucuronidase (GUS) and hpt. Growth and survival rates of three major cotton moth species, Pectinophora gossypiella, Helicoverpa armigera, and Spodoptera littoralis, were examined with aseptic neonates reared on callus. Normal larval development occurred in all species supplied with non-transgenic callus, but insects died, or their growth was severely restricted, when reared on transgenic callus harvested from hygromycin B-supplemented medium. Development of larvae on transgenic control and on non-transgenic callus became very much alike after the transgenic control tissue had been subcultured on a hygromyein B-free medium for about 100 d prior to the insect-callus bioassay. Accordingly, for detection of Bt toxin activity without the interference of the influence of hygromycin B on insects, cry1A(c) callus was infested with insects after it had been propagated for more than 100 d on a medium free of the antibiotic. Under these experimental conditions all P. gossypiella and H. armigera, and most S. littoralis neonates died, and the growth (e.g., weight increment) of S. littoralis survivors was markedly impeded by cry1A(c) callus. Three new findings emerge from this study: first, P. gossypiella, a pest feeding in the field on bolls only, can be grown in vitro on cotton callus; second, in a host which is recalcitrant in terms of plant regeneration, the biological potency of an insectdetrimental transgene can nevertheless be evaluated by generating a transgenic host callus and conducting in vitro transgenic callus-insect assays; and third, our results suggest that hygromycin B is toxic to lepidopteran larvae.     

Molecular approaches for identification and construction of novel insecticidal genes for crop protection

Summary The insecticidal cry (crystal) genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been used for insect control both as biopesticides and in transgenic plants. Discovery of new insecticidal genes is of importance for delaying the development of resistance in target insects. The diversity of Bt strains facilitates isolation of new types of cry and vip (vegetative insecticidal protein) genes. PCR is a useful technique for quick and simultaneous screening of Bt strains for classification and prediction of insecticidal activities. PCR together with other methods of analysis such as RFLP, gene sequence determination, electrophoretic, immunological and chromatographic analysis of Cry proteins and insect bioassays for evaluation of toxicity have been employed for identification of new insecticidal proteins. Some other new approaches have also been devised. Many Bt strains with novel insecticidal genes have been found. A desired combination of Cry proteins can be assembled via site-specific recombination vectors into a recipient Bt strain to create a genetically improved biopesticide. For better pest control, the cry genes have been transferred to plants. Stacking of more than one insecticidal gene is required for resistance management in transgenic crops. Modification of Cry proteins through protein engineering for increasing the toxicity and/or the insecticidal spectrum is also a promising approach, but requires detailed understanding of the structure and function of these proteins and analysis of toxin-receptor interactions. More research into this area will provide useful insights for the design of toxins for management of insect resistance. Insecticidal genes from other bacteria and plants are also being examined for their potential for deployment in transgenic crops. Stringent implementation of resistance management is needed for maintaining the efficacy of Bt transgenic crops and deriving maximum economic and environmental benefit.     

Green-tissue-specific, C4-PEPC-promoter-driven expression of Cry1Ab makes transgenic potato plants resistant to tuber moth (Phthorimaeaoperculella, Zeller)

An important strategy for obtaining a safer transgenic plant may be the use of a spatial- or tissue-specific promoter, instead of a constitutive one. In this study, we have used a light-inducible maize PEPC promoter to regulate the cry1Ab gene, aiming to produce transgenic potatoes that are resistant to potato tuber moth (PTM) (Phthorimaea operculella, Zeller). Out of 60 regenerated lines having normal phenotypes, 55 lines were PCR-positive for both the cry1Ab and nptII genes. Southern analysis on three selected putative transgenic lines revealed that they have only a single intact copy of the cry1Ab gene. An investigation of the Cry1Ab protein in the leaves and light-exposed (LE) tubers of the transgenic lines demonstrated the presence of the protein in the foliage and green tubers but not in the light-not exposed (LNE) tubers. A bioassay analysis of excised leaves of nine randomly selected lines showed that eight lines had 100% PTM larval mortality. Confirming results were obtained in six selected lines using the whole plant bioassay in the greenhouse. LE transgenic tubers also exhibited 100% larval mortality; however, the levels of damage to the LNE transgenic tubers were high and statistically the same as those incurred by the non-transgenic ones. Based on the results, we believe that this spatial expression of Cry1Ab using the light-inducible PEPC promoter can control PTM infestation in the field and significantly reduce pollution transmission to storage potatoes.     

Tolerance of Bt corn (MON 810) to maize stem borer, Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Transgenic corn (MON 810), expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) protein, Cry1Ab, was evaluated under greenhouse conditions for its tolerance to the maize stem borer, Chilo partellus. Bt corn (MON 810) provided effective protection against the stem borer even under a high level of larval infestation in the greenhouse. The observed tolerance is examined and discussed in the light of the susceptibility of C. partellus to the Cry1Ab protein in laboratory bioassays. The implications of the tissue concentrations of Cry1Ab in MON 810, and baseline susceptibility recorded in the current study, for insect-resistance management are discussed.     

Characterisation of the cry54Ab1 operon of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. sichuansis strain MC28

A novel cry gene operon harbouring two open reading frames (ORFs) was discovered in a large plasmid of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) subsp. sichuansis MC28 (pMC189). The first ORF encoded 743 amino acids. It had a deduced molecular mass of 84.5 kDa and 73.2% identity with Cry54Aa1 protein as indicated by amino acid homology. This cry gene was designated as cry54Ab1 by the Bt Toxin Nomenclature Committee. The second ORF encoded 503 amino acids and had a deduced molecular mass of 58.2 kDa. It is here called as orf2. The whole cry54Ab1 operon, cry54Ab1 and orf2 were digested with BamHI/SalI and inserted into a shuttle vector, pSTK. The recombinant plasmids were transferred into an acrystalliferous mutant Bt HD73^?. Parasporal inclusions were observed only under expression of the whole cry54Ab1 operon. The bioassay experiments showed that expressed products of the cry54Ab1 and the whole cry54Ab1 operon were all toxic to Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera).     

Cry2Ab蛋白对龟纹瓢虫的安全性研究

【目的】转基因作物对非靶标昆虫的影响是转基因作物环境安全评价的重要内容,研究Cry2Ab蛋白对龟纹瓢虫的影响,对转基因作物的环境安全评价具有重要意义。【方法】采用实验动物学、分子生物学等方法,研究Cry2Ab蛋白对龟纹瓢虫发育历期、成虫体重、雌雄比例及体内氨基酸种类和含量的影响。【结果】与蔗糖对照组相比,Cry2Ab蛋白对龟纹瓢虫不同龄期的发育历期、成虫体重和雌雄比例均无明显差异,对体内氨基酸种类和含量也没有显著差异。【结论】Cry2Ab蛋白对龟纹瓢虫的生长发育及代谢无显著影响。     

Molecular and biological characterization of native <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis> strains for controlling tomato leafminer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuta absoluta</Emphasis> Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Colombia

Twenty-eight soil samples were obtained from open fields and greenhouses used for tomato cultivation in various regions of Colombia. For functional characterization, 99 Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains were isolated and characterized by abundance and morphology of microscopic crystals, SDS–PAGE of protein extracts and M-PCR analyses of genes of the cry1 family, as well as for their insecticidal activity against Tuta absoluta second instar larvae. Native Bt strains had amorphous (5%), bi-pyramidal (27%), square (8%), spherical (38%) and triangular (22%) crystal forms. Based on the presence of 1–4 different crystal forms, 18 different profiles were established. The SDS–PAGE analyses of protein extracts established ten different strain groups based on their protein band weight and potential biological activity. The M-PCR technique identified 35 native Bt strains based on the presence of the 6 genes cry1Aa, cry1Ab, cry1Ac, cry1B, cry1C and cry1D, whose frequency of occurrence was 76, 26, 21, 35, 32 and 8.8%, respectively. Thirteen different PCR profiles were found in native Bt strains. Several gene combinations tended to co-occur with elevated frequency, such as the pairs cry1Ac/cry1C, cry1Ab/cry1Ac and cry1Ab/cry1B, for which Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.69, 0.52 and 0.54, respectively. Native strains ZBUJTL39 and ZCUJTL11 had up to three times higher biological activity against T. absoluta second instar larvae than the reference strain Bt var. kurstaki HD1, with an LD₅₀ of 2.4 μg/ml (P < 0.05) for native Bt strain ZCUJTL11. This study suggests a high biodiversity of native Bt strains from tomato growing regions in Colombia, which has important implications for designing biological control strategies for T. absoluta.