Bt蛋白Vip3Aa19、Cry1Ab和Cry1Ah对玉米蚜的效应评价

[目的] 探讨转基因玉米表达的3种Bt蛋白对非靶标害虫玉米蚜的影响效应,为农田生态系统中转基因玉米的环境安全评价提供依据。[方法] 在玉米蚜全纯人工饲料中分别添加Bt蛋白Vip3Aa19、Cry1Ab和Cry1Ah饲养玉米蚜,并以PBS缓冲液或Na₂CO₃溶液为阴性对照,添加酪蛋白（casein,CS）为中性对照,添加印楝素（neem oil）为阳性对照,比较分析Bt蛋白等各处理对玉米蚜存活率、发育历期、有翅蚜率及繁殖力的影响。[结果] 低浓度印楝素（Neem-L）处理后玉米蚜半数个体生存时间（ST₅₀）为3.2~4.0 d,高浓度印楝素（Neem-H）处理后,玉米蚜在第4天全部死亡,这2个处理均没有子代若蚜产生。添加Bt蛋白和CS对玉米蚜的生存时间没有显著影响,ST₅₀在8.3~9.6 d之间。与阴性对照相比,3个Bt蛋白和CS处理的若蚜期显著短1.0~2.9 d,产出的下一代若蚜数显著增多。Vip3Aa19、Cry1Ab以及CS处理后,有翅蚜比例显著高于其阴性对照。[结论] 饲料中分别添加3种Bt蛋白Vip3Aa19、Cry1Ab和Cry1Ah对玉米蚜的存活率没有显著影响,但具有与添加CS等同提高饲料营养质量的效果;与阴性对照相比,添加3种Bt蛋白对玉米蚜的生长发育和繁殖具有显著的促进效应。     

Cry1Ah蛋白标准物质候选物的制备与纯化

随着转基因技术的迅猛发展,转基因产品的安全性受到了广泛关注。转基因检测用有证标准物质在确保转基因产品定性、定量检测结果的可比性和可追溯性方面发挥着重要作用。但转基因蛋白质标准物质的开发相对缓慢,其中一个难点是制备高纯度的转基因蛋白质候选物。苏云金芽胞杆菌Bacillus thuringiensis cry1Ah1基因因其对亚洲玉米螟等鳞翅目害虫有很好的杀虫活性,已用于转基因抗虫作物的研制,并获得具有较好抗虫性状的转基因株系。为了研发Cry1Ah蛋白有证标准物质,亟需建立其制备及纯化体系。文中优化了利用Bt表达系统制备Cry1Ah蛋白的体系,利用离子交换色谱法和排阻色谱法逐级纯化的方法,获得了高纯度的Cry1Ah蛋白 (排阻色谱纯度：99.6%)。生物活性测定结果表明,纯化的Cry1Ah蛋白与原毒素对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella的杀虫活性没有显著差异。最后使用Edman降解法和质谱法确定了Cry1Ah蛋白活化后的氨基酸序列。综上所述,获得的Cry1Ah纯蛋白可用于蛋白质标准物质的研制。     

转cry1Ab/cry1Ac基因玉米Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac融合蛋白表达及对亚洲玉米螟的室内杀虫效果

【目的】室内抗螟性评价是转Bt基因抗虫玉米研发和安全性评价的重要环节。【方法】采用酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)测定了转cry1Ab/cry1Ac基因玉米ZZM030心叶中Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac融合杀虫蛋白的表达量;采用室内生测法测定了分别取食转基因玉米ZZM030和非转基因玉米X249心叶后亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis敏感品系ACB-BtS、Cry1Ab抗性品系ACB-AbR和Cry1Ac抗性品系ACB-AcR初孵幼虫的存活率。【结果】转基因抗虫玉米ZZM030 4叶期和8叶期心叶中Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac融合杀虫蛋白的表达量分别是10.62和2.94 μg/g FW。敏感品系亚洲玉米螟初孵幼虫取食转基因玉米ZZM030心叶2 d的存活率仅为23.6%,4 d后存活率为0,而取食非转基因对照玉米X249心叶4 d的存活率高达93.1%。Cry1Ab抗性品系和Cry1Ac抗性品系初孵幼虫取食转基因玉米ZZM030心叶6 d后的存活率分别为11.1%和12.5%,而取食非转基因玉米X249心叶6 d后的存活率分别为81.9%和77.8%。【结论】转cry1Ab/cry1Ac基因玉米ZZM030心叶中高表达的Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac融合蛋白对亚洲玉米螟初孵幼虫具有极高的杀虫效果。     

转cry1Ab/cry1Ac基因玉米Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac融合蛋白表达及对亚洲玉米螟的室内杀虫效果

【目的】室内抗螟性评价是转Bt基因抗虫玉米研发和安全性评价的重要环节。【方法】采用酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)测定了转cry1Ab/cry1Ac基因玉米ZZM030心叶中Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac融合杀虫蛋白的表达量;采用室内生测法测定了分别取食转基因玉米ZZM030和非转基因玉米X249心叶后亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis敏感品系ACB-BtS、Cry1Ab抗性品系ACB-AbR和Cry1Ac抗性品系ACB-AcR初孵幼虫的存活率。【结果】转基因抗虫玉米ZZM030 4叶期和8叶期心叶中Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac融合杀虫蛋白的表达量分别是10.62和2.94 μg/g FW。敏感品系亚洲玉米螟初孵幼虫取食转基因玉米ZZM030心叶2 d的存活率仅为23.6%,4 d后存活率为0,而取食非转基因对照玉米X249心叶4 d的存活率高达93.1%。Cry1Ab抗性品系和Cry1Ac抗性品系初孵幼虫取食转基因玉米ZZM030心叶6 d后的存活率分别为11.1%和12.5%,而取食非转基因玉米X249心叶6 d后的存活率分别为81.9%和77.8%。【结论】转cry1Ab/cry1Ac基因玉米ZZM030心叶中高表达的Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac融合蛋白对亚洲玉米螟初孵幼虫具有极高的杀虫效果。     

Cry1Ac和Cry2Ab杀虫蛋白对粘虫幼虫生长发育的影响

【目的】为探究Bt杀虫蛋白对次要靶标害虫粘虫Mythimna separata (Walker)(鳞翅目:夜蛾科)的杀虫活性及对其生长发育的影响。【方法】本文通过浸叶法饲喂初孵及2龄末粘虫不同剂量的Cry1Ac及Cry2Ab杀虫蛋白后,观察其死亡率,称量幼虫重,并统计了幼虫历期、化蛹率、蛹重、蛹期、蛹的羽化率、畸形率等指标。【结果】初孵幼虫取食浸泡含16、64、128μg/mLCry1Ac及Cry2Ab的玉米叶片后,随着时间的延长及浓度的增加,死亡率逐渐增加,且Cry1Ac杀虫蛋白对粘虫的生物活性高于Cry2Ab蛋白,在128μg/mL浓度下,取食Cry1Ac和Cry2Ab蛋白13d时的死亡率分别达到了65%及60%。取食两种蛋白后,初孵幼虫和2龄末幼虫重量均受到显著抑制,短期取食两种蛋白对幼虫历期、化蛹率、蛹重、蛹期、蛹的羽化率、畸形率没有影响。【结论】取食Cry1Ac和Cry2Ab杀虫蛋白后,对初孵幼虫有很好的杀虫活性,且Cry1Ac杀虫活性高于Cry2Ab杀虫蛋白;短期饲喂两种杀虫蛋白时,对2龄粘虫后期生长影响不大。本文结果为转Bt基因作物更好的应用于粘虫的防治提供了理论基础。     

Cry2Ab及Cry1Ac杀虫蛋白对棉铃虫中肠蛋白酶活性的影响

为明确Cry2Ab和Cry1Ac2种Bt杀虫蛋白单用与混用对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera（Htibner）中肠主要蛋白酶活性的影响,本文测定了取食含不同Bt蛋白人工饲料后棉铃虫中肠总蛋白酶、类胰蛋白酶和类胰凝乳蛋白酶活性的差异。结果发现：Cry2Ab处理12h后对棉铃虫中肠总蛋白酶影响不大;对类胰蛋白酶的影响最大,除最高浓度处理外,其他浓度处理后棉铃虫类胰蛋白酶的活性明显高于对照;但对类胰凝乳蛋白酶活性的影响呈倒“V”字型,只有6．67ug／gCry2Ab处理后的棉铃虫酶活力显著高于对照,其他浓度处理与对照差异不显著或略低于对照;随着取食含Cry2Ab饲料时间的增加,棉铃虫中肠类胰蛋白酶和类胰凝乳蛋白酶的活性比对照显著增加;与对照相比,处理36h后类胰蛋白酶活性最高可增加到6．43倍。Cry1Ac处理棉铃虫12h后总蛋白酶、类胰蛋白酶和类胰凝乳蛋白酶活性都明显增加,而且与处理浓度呈正相关;但是24h后,处理后棉铃虫的总蛋白酶和类胰凝乳蛋白酶活性明显降低,只有类胰蛋白酶活性仍高于对照,但活性增长倍数低于12h时的处理。Cru2Ab和Cry1Ac2种蛋白混用处理棉铃虫后,2种酶的酶活力基本低于Cry1Ac和Cry2Ab单用的酶活力之和;只有2种蛋白浓度均为2．22ug／g混用时,处理12h后类胰蛋白酶和类胰凝乳蛋白酶的活性高于2种蛋白单用时酶活力之和,且都显著的高于对照。     

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。     

Cry1Ah蛋白标准物质候选物的制备与纯化（英文）

随着转基因技术的迅猛发展,转基因产品的安全性受到了广泛关注。转基因检测用有证标准物质在确保转基因产品定性、定量检测结果的可比性和可追溯性方面发挥着重要作用。但转基因蛋白质标准物质的开发相对缓慢,其中一个难点是制备高纯度的转基因蛋白质候选物。苏云金芽胞杆菌Bacillus thuringiensis cry1Ah1基因因其对亚洲玉米螟等鳞翅目害虫有很好的杀虫活性,已用于转基因抗虫作物的研制,并获得具有较好抗虫性状的转基因株系。为了研发Cry1Ah蛋白有证标准物质,亟需建立其制备及纯化体系。文中优化了利用Bt表达系统制备Cry1Ah蛋白的体系,利用离子交换色谱法和排阻色谱法逐级纯化的方法,获得了高纯度的Cry1Ah蛋白(排阻色谱纯度:99.6%)。生物活性测定结果表明,纯化的Cry1Ah蛋白与原毒素对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella的杀虫活性没有显著差异。最后使用Edman降解法和质谱法确定了Cry1Ah蛋白活化后的氨基酸序列。综上所述,获得的Cry1Ah纯蛋白可用于蛋白质标准物质的研制。     

转Bt棉主茎叶Cry1Ab/c蛋白含量的时空分布分析

为明确M-49和X-37转基因棉Cry1Ab/c蛋白在主茎叶片的时空分布,采用酶联免疫法(ELISA)对主茎叶片的Cry1Ab/c蛋白含量进行检测,并利用考马斯亮蓝法检测叶片水溶性总蛋白含量。结果表明:X-37主茎叶片Cry1Ab/c蛋白整体含量高于M-49;两种转Bt棉主茎叶的Cry1Ab/c蛋白含量由顶端向底层逐渐增加,现蕾期(6月3日)和初花期(6月27日)底层叶片Cry1Ab/c蛋白含量显著高于顶端叶片;花铃期(8月6日)和铃期(8月26日)中上部叶片Cry1Ab/c蛋白含量均无明显差异。另外,在初花期(6月27日)主茎上部叶片的Cry1Ab/c蛋白与水溶性总蛋白比显著高于中下部叶片。总体上,两种转Bt棉主茎叶片Cry1Ab/c蛋白叶片含量分布由下至上逐渐减少,随生育期的推进呈先增后降,在初花期的上部叶片Cry1Ab/c蛋白与水溶总性蛋白比变化较其他生育期明显。     

草地贪夜蛾取食Cry1Ab和Cry1Fa蛋白后中肠转录组及ABC基因表达分析

【目的】为揭示草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera furgiperda幼虫取食Bt蛋白后与中肠上相关ATP结合盒转运子(ATP-binding cassette transporter, ABC)蛋白基因的表达量变化的关系。【方法】分别使用含活化晶体蛋白Cry1Ab (LC₇₀=240.2 μg/g)和Cry1Fa (LC₇₀=270.0 μg/g)蛋白的人工饲料饲喂草地贪夜蛾4龄幼虫48 h,利用高通量测序对中肠进行转录组测序并进行生物信息学分析,筛选处理后差异表达基因;利用RT-qPCR验证差异表达ABC基因的表达量。【结果】与饲喂正常人工饲料的对照相比,饲喂含240.2 μg/g Cry1Ab和270.0 μg/g Cry1Fa的人工饲料后草地贪夜蛾4龄幼虫中肠转录组中分别检测到1 305和1 202个差异表达基因。Cry1Ab和Cry1Fa处理组与对照组之间分别有994和912个差异表达基因被GO功能注释到生物学过程、分子功能和细胞组分三大类。在最终筛选到的9个差异表达的ABC家族基因中,Cry1Ab处理组与对照组之间有4个差异表达ABC基因,3个上调,1个下调; Cry1Fa处理组与对照组之间有5个差异表达ABC基因,2个上调,3个下调;Cry1Ab和Cry1Fa处理组与对照组之间有2个ABC基因(LOC118267200和LOC118267201)表达量均显著上调。RT-qPCR验证结果表明,与对照组相比,Cry1Ab处理组有3个ABC基因表达量极显著上调,2个ABC基因表达量下调;Cry1Fa处理组有5个ABC基因表达量上调,1个ABC基因表达量下调。【结论】Cry1Ab和Cry1Fa蛋白的摄入可以影响草地贪夜蛾幼虫中肠一些ABC家族基因的表达量变化,这些基因的表达量变化与昆虫抗性产生有关。经比对后发现,ABCC家族与ABCG8基因表达量变化显著。本研究为下一步明确草地贪夜蛾体内ABC转运蛋白在Bt蛋白杀虫机制中的作用,以及合理使用Bt蛋白防治草地贪夜蛾及延缓抗性提供了理论依据。     

Bacillus thuringiensis Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 Interactions with Western Corn Rootworm Midgut Membrane Binding Sites

Background

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 are binary insecticidal proteins that are co-expressed in transgenic corn hybrids for control of western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. Bt crystal (Cry) proteins with limited potential for field-relevant cross-resistance are used in combination, along with non-transgenic corn refuges, as a strategy to delay development of resistant rootworm populations. Differences in insect midgut membrane binding site interactions are one line of evidence that Bt protein mechanisms of action differ and that the probability of receptor-mediated cross-resistance is low.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Binding site interactions were investigated between Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 and coleopteran active insecticidal proteins Cry3Aa, Cry6Aa, and Cry8Ba on western corn rootworm midgut brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV). Competitive binding of radio-labeled proteins to western corn rootworm BBMV was used as a measure of shared binding sites. Our work shows that ¹²⁵I-Cry35Ab1 binds to rootworm BBMV, Cry34Ab1 enhances ¹²⁵I-Cry35Ab1 specific binding, and that ¹²⁵I-Cry35Ab1 with or without unlabeled Cry34Ab1 does not share binding sites with Cry3Aa, Cry6Aa, or Cry8Ba. Two primary lines of evidence presented here support the lack of shared binding sites between Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 and the aforementioned proteins: 1) No competitive binding to rootworm BBMV was observed for competitor proteins when used in excess with ¹²⁵I-Cry35Ab1 alone or combined with unlabeled Cry34Ab1, and 2) No competitive binding to rootworm BBMV was observed for unlabeled Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1, or a combination of the two, when used in excess with ¹²⁵I-Cry3Aa, or ¹²⁵I-Cry8Ba.

Conclusions/Significance

Combining two or more insecticidal proteins active against the same target pest is one tactic to delay the onset of resistance to either protein. We conclude that Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 are compatible with Cry3Aa, Cry6Aa, or Cry8Ba for deployment as insect resistance management pyramids for in-plant control of western corn rootworm.     

Large scale production of Bacillus thuringiensis PS149B1 insecticidal proteins Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1 from Pseudomonas fluorescens

The 14kDa (Cry34Ab1) and 44kDa (Cry35Ab1) binary insecticidal proteins are produced naturally by Bacillus thuringiensis PS149B1 as parasporal inclusion bodies. Here, we show production of these two insecticidal proteins in recombinant Pseudomonas fluorescens and their subsequent purification to near homogeneity to provide large quantities of protein for safety-assessment studies associated with the registration of transgenic corn plants. The gene sequence specific for each protein was expressed in P. fluorescens and fermented at the 75-L scale. For Cry34Ab1, the protein accumulated as insoluble inclusion bodies, and was purified by extraction directly from the cell pastes at pH 3.4 with a sodium acetate buffer, selective precipitation at pH 7.0, and differential centrifugation. For Cry35Ab1, the protein was extracted from the purified inclusion bodies with sodium acetate buffer (pH 3.5) containing 0.5M urea, followed by diafiltration. No chromatography steps were required to produce over 30g of lyophilized protein powder with purity greater than 98%, while retaining full insecticidal activity against Western corn rootworm larvae. The proteins were further characterized to assure identity and suitability for use in safety-assessment studies.     

转Bt基因稻谷对印度谷螟生长发育的影响

为建立仓储阶段转Bt水稻安全性评价中靶标害虫抗性汰选研究体系,配制了含不同比例(70%,50%,30%,10%)转Bt基因(Cry1Ab/Cry1Abc)明辉63水稻谷粉(简称Bt谷粉)的人工饲料饲喂印度谷螟Plodia interpunctella(Hübner),测定其对1～3龄幼虫在72h内的急性毒力,及对印度谷螟种群生长发育的影响,并采用ELISA法检测转基因稻谷和末龄幼虫体内Bt蛋白含量。结果发现:4种比例人工饲料对幼虫的毒力作用均发生在取食48h后,72h后剂量效应明显。含Bt水稻较高比例的饲料对印度谷螟发育的负面效应明显:幼虫死亡率高,发育历期延长。Bt蛋白在幼虫体内含量与对应饲料中的含量基本成正比。综合考虑,将Bt杀虫蛋白含量2.35μg/g作为转Bt基因稻谷对印度谷螟的亚致死剂量最为合适。     

Bacillus thuringiensis Delta-Endotoxin Cry1 Hybrid Proteins with Increased Activity against the Colorado Potato Beetle

Cry1 delta-endotoxins of Bacillus thuringiensis are generally active against lepidopteran insects, but Cry1Ba and Cry1Ia have additional, though low, levels of activity against coleopterans such as the Colorado potato beetle. Here we report the construction of Cry1Ba/Cry1Ia hybrid toxins which have increased activities against this insect species.     

Identification of the minimal active fragment of the Cry1Ah toxin

cry1Ah1, a novel holo-type gene cloned from Bacillus thuringiensis strain BT-8, encoded a protein exhibiting strong insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. To identify the minimal active fragment of the Cry1Ah toxin, 9 pairs of primers were designed to generate different PCR products. Seven PCR products were amplified by different primers using the cry1Ah1 gene as a template and cloned into a pET-21b vector. These positive clones were separately transformed into Escherichia coli. Insecticidal activity against 2nd-instar larvae of Plutella xylostella was performed using the leaf-dip bioassay: the minimal active fragment of the Cry1Ah toxin was located between amino acid residues 50I and 639E.     

Binding analyses of Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac with membrane vesicles from Bacillus thuringiensis-resistant and -susceptible Ostrinia nubilalis

The binding properties of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins to brush border membrane vesicles of Dipel-resistant and -susceptible Ostrinia nubilalis larvae were compared using ligand-toxin immunoblot analysis, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and radiolabeled toxin binding assays. In ligand-toxin immunoblot analysis, the number of Cry1Ab or Cry1Ac toxin binding proteins and the relative toxin binding intensity were similar in vesicles from resistant and susceptible larvae. Surface plasmon resonance with immobilized activated Cry1Ab toxin indicated that there were no significant differences in binding with fluid-phase vesicles from resistant and susceptible larvae. Homologous competition assays with radiolabeled Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac toxin and vesicles from resistant and susceptible larvae resulted in similar toxin dissociation constants and binding site concentrations. Heterologous competition binding assays indicated that Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac completely competed for binding, thus they share binding sites in the epithelium of the larval midguts of O. nubilalis. Overall, the binding analyses indicate that resistance to Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac in this Bt-resistant strain of O. nubilalis is not associated with a loss of toxin binding.     

Prey-mediated effects of Cry1Ab toxin and protoxin and Cry2A protoxin on the predator Chrysoperla carnea

Laboratory feeding experiments were carried out to study prey-mediated effects of artificial diet containing Bacillus thuringiensis proteins on immature Chrysoperla carnea. Activated Cry1Ab toxin and the protoxins of Cry1Ab and Cry2A were mixed into standard meridic diet for Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) larvae at the following concentrations; for Cry1Ab toxin, 25, 50, 100 g g^–1 diet were used; for Cry1Ab protoxin, the concentration was doubled (50 g g^–1 diet, 100 g g^–1 diet and 200 g g^–1 diet) to give relative comparable levels of toxin concentration. Cry2A protoxin was incorporated into the meridic diet at one concentration only (100 g g^–1 diet). For the untreated control, the equivalent amount of double distilled water was added to the meridic diet. Individual C. carnea larvae were raised on S. littoralis larvae fed with one of the respective treated meridic diets described above. The objectives were to quantify and compare the resulting effects on mortality and development time of C. carnea with those observed in two previous studies investigating prey-mediated effects of transgenic Cry1Ab toxin-producing corn plants and the other studying effects of Cry1Ab toxin fed directly to C. carnea larvae. Mean total immature mortality for chrysopid larvae reared on B. thuringiensis-fed prey was always significantly higher than in the control (26%). Total immature mortality of C. carnea reared on Cry1Ab toxin 100 g g^–1 diet-fed prey was highest (78%) and declined with decreasing toxin concentration. Cry1Ab protoxin-exposed C. carnea larvae did not exhibit a dose response. Prey-mediated total mortality of Cry1Ab protoxin-exposed chrysopid larvae was intermediate (46–62%) to Cry1Ab toxin exposed (55–78%) and Cry2A protoxin (47%) exposed C. carnea. In agreement with the previous studies, total development time of C. carnea was not consistently, significantly affected by the Bt-treatments except at the highest Cry1Ab toxin concentration. However, both highest mortality and delayed development of immature C. carnea raised on Cry1Ab toxin 100 g g^–1 diet – fed prey may have been confounded with an increased intoxication of S. littoralis larvae that was observed at that concentration. At all other B. thuringiensis protein concentrations S. littoralis was not lethally affected. Comparative analysis of the results of this study with those of the two previous studies revealed that in addition to prey/herbivore by B. thuringiensis interactions, also prey/herbivore by plant interactions exist that contribute to the observed toxicity of B. thuringiensis – fed S. littoralis larvae for C. carnea. These findings demonstrate that tritrophic level studies are necessary to assess the long-term compatibility of insecticidal plants with important natural enemies.     

Bt Crops Producing Cry1Ac,Cry2Ab and Cry1F Do Not Harm the Green Lacewing,Chrysoperla rufilabris

The biological control function provided by natural enemies is regarded as a protection goal that should not be harmed by the application of any new pest management tool. Plants producing Cry proteins from the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), have become a major tactic for controlling pest Lepidoptera on cotton and maize and risk assessment studies are needed to ensure they do not harm important natural enemies. However, using Cry protein susceptible hosts as prey often compromises such studies. To avoid this problem we utilized pest Lepidoptera, cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), that were resistant to Cry1Ac produced in Bt broccoli (T. ni), Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab produced in Bt cotton (T. ni), and Cry1F produced in Bt maize (S. frugiperda). Larvae of these species were fed Bt plants or non-Bt plants and then exposed to predaceous larvae of the green lacewing Chrysoperla rufilabris. Fitness parameters (larval survival, development time, fecundity and egg hatch) of C. rufilabris were assessed over two generations. There were no differences in any of the fitness parameters regardless if C. rufilabris consumed prey (T. ni or S. frugiperda) that had consumed Bt or non-Bt plants. Additional studies confirmed that the prey contained bioactive Cry proteins when they were consumed by the predator. These studies confirm that Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab and Cry1F do not pose a hazard to the important predator C. rufilabris. This study also demonstrates the power of using resistant hosts when assessing the risk of genetically modified plants on non-target organisms.