RESUMO

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces different insecticidal proteins effective for pest control. Among them, Cry insecticidal proteins have been used in transgenic plants for the control of insect pests. However, evolution of resistance by insects endangers this technology. Previous work showed that the lepidopteran insect Plutella xylostella PxHsp90 chaperone enhanced the toxicity of Bt Cry1A protoxins by protecting them from degradation by the larval gut proteases and by enhancing binding of the protoxin to its receptors present in larval midgut cells. In this work, we show that PxHsp70 chaperone also protects Cry1Ab protoxin from gut proteases degradation, enhancing Cry1Ab toxicity. We also show that both PxHsp70 and PxHsp90 chaperones act cooperatively, increasing toxicity and the binding of Cry1Ab439D mutant, affected in binding to midgut receptors, to cadherin receptor. Also, insect chaperones recovered toxicity of Cry1Ac protein to a Cry1Ac-highly resistant P. xylostella population, NO-QAGE, that has a disruptive mutation in an ABCC2 transporter linked to Cry1Ac resistance. These data show that Bt hijacked an important cellular function for enhancing its infection capability, making use of insect cellular chaperones for enhancing Cry toxicity and for lowering the evolution of insect resistance to these toxins.

Assuntos

Bacillus thuringiensis , Inseticidas , Animais , Bacillus thuringiensis/genética , Insetos , Larva/genética , Chaperonas Moleculares , Proteínas de Choque Térmico HSP90/genética , Peptídeo Hidrolases , Proteínas de Choque Térmico HSP70/genética , Endotoxinas/toxicidade , Proteínas Hemolisinas/toxicidade

RESUMO

The sugarcane giant borer, Telchin licus licus, is an insect pest that causes significant losses in sugarcane crops and in the sugar-alcohol sector. Chemical and manual control methods are not effective. As an alternative, in the current study, we have screened Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry toxins with high toxicity against this insect. Bioassays were conducted to determine the activity of four Cry toxins (Cry1A (a, b, and c) and Cry2Aa) against neonate T. licus licus larvae. Notably, the Cry1A family toxins had the lowest LC50 values, in which Cry1Ac presented 2.1-fold higher activity than Cry1Aa, 1.7-fold larger than Cry1Ab, and 9.7-fold larger than Cry2Aa toxins. In silico analyses were performed as a perspective to understand putative interactions between T. licus licus receptors and Cry1A toxins. The molecular dynamics and docking analyses for three putative aminopeptidase N (APN) receptors (TlAPN1, TlAPN3, and TlAPN4) revealed evidence for the amino acids that may be involved in the toxin-receptor interactions. Notably, the properties of Cry1Ac point to an interaction site that increases the toxin's affinity for the receptor and likely potentiate toxicity. The interacting amino acid residues predicted for Cry1Ac in this work are probably those shared by the other Cry1A toxins for the same region of APNs. Thus, the presented data extend the existing knowledge of the effects of Cry toxins on T. licus licus and should be considered in further development of transgenic sugarcane plants resistant to this major occurring insect pest in sugarcane fields.

Assuntos

Bacillus thuringiensis , Saccharum , Animais , Bacillus thuringiensis/química , Endotoxinas/farmacologia , Endotoxinas/toxicidade , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis/metabolismo , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis/farmacologia , Proteínas Hemolisinas/química , Proteínas Hemolisinas/metabolismo , Proteínas Hemolisinas/toxicidade , Larva , Proteínas de Bactérias/química , Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Proteínas de Bactérias/farmacologia

RESUMO

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a bacterium capable of producing Cry toxins, which are recognized for their bio-controlling actions against insects. However, a few Bt strains encode proteins lacking insecticidal activity but showing cytotoxic activity against different cancer cell lines and low or no cytotoxicity toward normal human cells. A subset of Cry anticancer proteins, termed parasporins (PSs), has recently arisen as a potential alternative for cancer treatment. However, the molecular receptors that allow the binding of PSs to cells and their cytotoxic mechanisms of action have not been well established. Nonetheless, their selective cytotoxic activity against different types of cancer cell lines places PSs as a promising alternative treatment modality. In this review, we provide an overview of the classification, structures, mechanisms of action, and insights obtained from genetic modification approaches for PS proteins.

Assuntos

Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Bacillus thuringiensis/genética , Endotoxinas/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos/química , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Ensaios de Seleção de Medicamentos Antitumorais , Endotoxinas/química , Endotoxinas/genética , Humanos

RESUMO

Helicoverpa armigera is a major insect pest of several crops worldwide. This insect is susceptible to some Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry insecticidal proteins expressed in transgenic crops or used in biopesticides. Previously, we identified H. armigera prohibitin (HaPHB) as a Cry1Ac-binding protein. Here, we further analyzed the potential role of PHB as a Cry toxin receptor in comparison to cadherin (CAD), well recognized as a Cry1Ac receptor. HaPHB-2 midgut protein and HaCAD toxin-binding region (TBR) fragment from H. armigera were expressed in Escherichia coli cells, and binding assays with different Cry1 toxins were performed. We demonstrated that Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, and Cry1Fa toxins bound to HaPHB-2 in a manner similar to that seen with HaCAD-TBR. Different Cry1Ab mutant toxins located in domain II (Cry1AbF371A and Cry1AbG439D) or domain III (Cry1AbL511A and Cry1AbN514A), which were previously characterized and found to be affected in receptor binding, were analyzed regarding their binding interaction with HaPHB-2 and toxicity against H. armigera One ß-16 mutant (Cry1AbN514A) showed increased binding to HaPHB-2 that correlated with 6-fold-higher toxicity against H. armigera, whereas the other ß-16 mutant (Cry1AbL511A) was affected in binding to HaPHB-2 and lost toxicity against H. armigera Our data indicate that ß-16 from domain III of Cry1Ab is involved in interactions with HaPHB-2 and in toxicity. This report identifies a region of Cry1Ab involved in binding to HaPHB-2 from a Lepidoptera insect, suggesting that this protein may participate as a novel receptor in the mechanism of action of the Cry1 toxins in H. armigeraIMPORTANCEHelicoverpa armigera is a polyphagous pest that feeds on important crops worldwide. This insect pest is sensitive to different Cry1 toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis In this study, we analyzed the potential role of PHB-2 as a Cry1 toxin receptor in comparison to CAD. We show that different Cry1 toxins bound to HaPHB-2 and HaCAD-TBR similarly and identify ß-16 from domain III of Cry1Ab as a binding region involved in the interaction with HaPHB-2 and in toxicity. This report characterized HaPHB-Cry1 binding interaction, providing novel insights into potential target sites for improving Cry1 toxicity against H. armigera.

Assuntos

Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis/toxicidade , Endotoxinas/toxicidade , Proteínas Hemolisinas/toxicidade , Proteínas de Insetos/metabolismo , Proteínas Repressoras/metabolismo , Animais , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis/genética , Sítios de Ligação , Endotoxinas/genética , Proteínas Hemolisinas/genética , Larva , Mariposas , Proibitinas , Domínios Proteicos

RESUMO

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins are effective in controlling insect pests either through the spraying of products or when expressed in transgenic crops. The discovery of endophytic Bt strains opened new perspectives for studies aimed at the control of sap-sucking insects, such as the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), a vector of "Candidatus Liberibacter spp.," associated with citrus huanglongbing (HLB). In this study, translocation of endophytic Bt strains in citrus seedlings inoculated with Bt suspension delivered by soil-drench, and their systemic pathogenicity to D. citri nymphs were investigated. The pathogenicity of three wild-type Bt strains against D. citri third-instar nymphs was demonstrated. Among the 10 recombinant strains tested (each of them harboring a single cry or cyt gene), 3 can be highlighted, causing 42%-77% and 66%-90% nymphal mortality at 2 and 5 d after inoculation, respectively. The isolation of Bt cells from young citrus shoots and dead nymphs, and PCR performed with specific primers, confirmed the involvement of the Bt strains in the psyllid mortality. This is the first report showing the translocation of Bt strains from citrus seedling roots to shoots and their potential to control D. citri nymphs that fed on these soil-drench inoculated seedlings. The Bt strains that caused the highest mortality rates have the potential to be used as bioinsecticides to control D. citri and the identified genes can be used for the production of transgenic Bt citrus.

Assuntos

Bacillus thuringiensis , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Citrus/microbiologia , Endotoxinas/genética , Hemípteros/microbiologia , Proteínas Hemolisinas/genética , Brotos de Planta/microbiologia , Animais , Bacillus thuringiensis/genética , Bacillus thuringiensis/patogenicidade , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis , Endófitos/genética , Endófitos/patogenicidade , Insetos Vetores/microbiologia , Ninfa/microbiologia , Controle Biológico de Vetores/métodos , Doenças das Plantas/microbiologia , Rhizobiaceae , Plântula/microbiologia , Seleção Genética

RESUMO

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) biopesticides are an environmentally safe alternative to the management of Plutella xylostella pesticide resistance evolution. We evaluated P. xylostella susceptibility to six Bt strains cultivated and applied individually, and 15 combinations of Bt strains mixed after cultivation. Three combinations resulted in synergism and one in antagonism. Promising results of larval mortality with synergistic effects were obtained with the combinations Bt var. thuringiensis strain HD-2 + Bt finitimus strain HD-3, Bt var. thuringiensis strain HD-2 + Bt dendrolimus strain HD-7 and Bt var. thuringiensis strain HD-2 + Bt var. aizawai strain HD-11.

Assuntos

Bacillus thuringiensis/patogenicidade , Endotoxinas/farmacologia , Mariposas/microbiologia , Animais , Bacillus thuringiensis/genética , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Bioensaio , Endotoxinas/genética , Genes Bacterianos , Resistência a Inseticidas , Larva/microbiologia , Controle Biológico de Vetores/métodos

RESUMO

Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab and Cry1Fa toxins are environmentally safe insecticides that control important insect pests. Spodoptera frugiperda is an important maize pest that shows low susceptibility to Cry1A toxins, in contrast to Cry1Fa, which is highly active against this pest and is used in transgenic maize for S. frugiperda control. The ß16 region from domain III of Cry1Ab has been shown to be involved in interactions with receptors such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) or aminopeptidase (APN) in different lepidopteran insects. Alanine-scanning mutagenesis of amino acids of Cry1Ab ß16 (509STLRVN514) revealed that certain ß16 mutations, such as N514A, resulted in increased toxicity of Cry1Ab for S. frugiperda without affecting the toxicity for other lepidopteran larvae, such as Manduca sexta larvae. Exhaustive mutagenesis of N514 was performed, showing that the Cry1Ab N514F, N514H, N514K, N514L, N514Q, and N514S mutations increased the toxicity toward S. frugiperda A corresponding mutation was constructed in Cry1Fa (N507A). Toxicity assays of wild-type and mutant toxins (Cry1Ab, Cry1AbN514A, Cry1AbN514F, Cry1Fa, and Cry1FaN507A) against four S. frugiperda populations from Mexico and one from Brazil revealed that Cry1AbN514A and Cry1FaN507A consistently showed 3- to 18-fold increased toxicity against four of five S. frugiperda populations. In contrast, Cry1AbN514F showed increased toxicity in only two of the S. frugiperda populations analyzed. The mutants Cry1AbN514A and Cry1AbN514F showed greater stability to midgut protease treatment. In addition, binding analysis of the Cry1Ab mutants showed that the increased toxicity correlated with increased binding to brush border membrane vesicles and increased binding affinity for S. frugiperda ALP, APN, and cadherin receptors.IMPORTANCESpodoptera frugiperda is the main maize pest in South and North America and also is an invasive pest in different African countries. However, it is poorly controlled by Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1A toxins expressed in transgenic crops, which effectively control other lepidopteran pests. In contrast, maize expressing Cry1Fa is effective in the control of S. frugiperda, although its effectiveness is being lost due to resistance evolution. Some of the Cry1Ab domain III mutants characterized here show enhanced toxicity for S. frugiperda without loss of toxicity to Manduca sexta Thus, these Cry1Ab mutants could provide useful engineered toxins that, along with other Cry toxins, would be useful for developing transgenic maize expressing stacked proteins for the effective control of S. frugiperda and other lepidopteran pests in the field.

Assuntos

Bacillus thuringiensis/genética , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Endotoxinas/genética , Proteínas Hemolisinas/genética , Spodoptera/microbiologia , Animais , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis , Produtos Agrícolas , Engenharia Genética , Inseticidas , Larva/microbiologia , Mutação , Controle Biológico de Vetores , Ligação Proteica , Estabilidade Proteica , Zea mays

RESUMO

Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins are currently used for pest control in transgenic crops but evolution of resistance by the insect pests threatens the use of this technology. The Cry1AbMod toxin was engineered to lack the alpha helix-1 of the parental Cry1Ab toxin and was shown to counter resistance to Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac toxins in different insect species including the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda. In addition, Cry1AbMod showed enhanced toxicity to Cry1Ab-susceptible S. frugiperda populations. To gain insights into the mechanisms of this Cry1AbMod-enhanced toxicity, we isolated the Cry1AbMod toxin binding proteins from S. frugiperda brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV), which were identified by pull-down assay and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The LC-MS/MS results indicated that Cry1AbMod toxin could bind to four classes of aminopeptidase (N1, N3, N4 y N5) and actin, with the highest amino acid sequence coverage acquired for APN 1 and APN4. In addition to these proteins, we found other proteins not previously described as Cry toxin binding proteins. This is the first report that suggests the interaction between Cry1AbMod and APN in S. frugiperda.

Assuntos

Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Antígenos CD13/metabolismo , Endotoxinas/metabolismo , Proteínas Hemolisinas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Insetos/metabolismo , Spodoptera/enzimologia , Actinas/química , Animais , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis , Proteínas de Bactérias/química , Antígenos CD13/química , Antígenos CD13/isolamento & purificação , Endotoxinas/química , Proteínas Hemolisinas/química , Proteínas de Insetos/química , Proteínas de Insetos/isolamento & purificação , Microvilosidades/metabolismo , Proteínas Recombinantes/química , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética

RESUMO

Bacillus thuringiensis three-domain Cry toxins kill insects by forming pores in the apical membrane of larval midgut cells. Oligomerization of the toxin is an important step for pore formation. Domain I helix α-3 participates in toxin oligomerization. Here we identify an intramolecular salt bridge within helix α-3 of Cry4Ba (D111-K115) that is conserved in many members of the family of three-domain Cry toxins. Single point mutations such as D111K or K115D resulted in proteins severely affected in toxicity. These mutants were also altered in oligomerization, and the mutant K115D was more sensitive to protease digestion. The double point mutant with reversed charges, D111K-K115D, recovered both oligomerization and toxicity, suggesting that this salt bridge is highly important for conservation of the structure of helix α-3 and necessary to promote the correct oligomerization of the toxin.IMPORTANCE Domain I has been shown to be involved in oligomerization through helix α-3 in different Cry toxins, and mutations affecting oligomerization also elicit changes in toxicity. The three-dimensional structure of the Cry4Ba toxin reveals an intramolecular salt bridge in helix α-3 of domain I. Mutations that disrupt this salt bridge resulted in changes in Cry4Ba oligomerization and toxicity, while a double point reciprocal mutation that restored the salt bridge resulted in recovery of toxin oligomerization and toxicity. These data highlight the role of oligomer formation as a key step in Cry4Ba toxicity.

Assuntos

Bacillus thuringiensis/química , Proteínas de Bactérias/química , Proteínas de Bactérias/toxicidade , Endotoxinas/química , Endotoxinas/toxicidade , Proteínas Hemolisinas/química , Proteínas Hemolisinas/toxicidade , Inseticidas/química , Inseticidas/toxicidade , Aedes/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis , Estabilidade de Medicamentos , Modelos Moleculares , Estrutura Molecular , Mutação Puntual

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: The Cry toxins, or δ-endotoxins, are a diverse group of proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis. While DNA secondary structures are biologically relevant, it is unknown if such structures are formed in regions encoding conserved domains of Cry toxins under shuffling conditions. We analyzed 5 holotypes that encode Cry toxins and that grouped into 4 clusters according to their phylogenetic closeness. The mean number of DNA secondary structures that formed and the mean Gibbs free energy [Formula: see text] were determined by an in silico analysis using different experimental DNA shuffling scenarios. In terms of spontaneity, shuffling efficiency was directly proportional to the formation of secondary structures but inversely proportional to ∆G. RESULTS: The results showed a shared thermodynamic pattern for each cluster and relationships among sequences that are phylogenetically close at the protein level. The regions of the cry11Aa, Ba and Bb genes that encode domain I showed more spontaneity and thus a greater tendency to form secondary structures (<∆G). In the region of domain III; this tendency was lower (>∆G) in the cry11Ba and Bb genes. Proteins that are phylogenetically closer to Cry11Ba and Cry11Bb, such as Cry2Aa and Cry18Aa, maintained the same thermodynamic pattern. More distant proteins, such as Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry30Aa and Cry30Ca, featured different thermodynamic patterns in their DNA. CONCLUSION: These results suggest the presence of thermodynamic variations associated to the formation of secondary structures and an evolutionary relationship with regions that encode highly conserved domains in Cry proteins. The findings of this study may have a role in the in silico design of cry gene assembly by DNA shuffling techniques.

RESUMO

Bacillus thuringiensis Cry2Ab toxin has been used in combination with Cry1Ac for resistance management on the Bt-cotton that is widely planted worldwide. However, little is known regarding Cry2Ab mode of action. Particularly, there is a gap of knowledge on the identification of insect midgut proteins that bind Cry2Ab and mediate toxicity. In the case of Cry1Ab toxin, a transmembrane cadherin protein and glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored proteins like aminopeptidase-N1 (APN1) or alkaline-phosphatase (ALP) from Manduca sexta, have been shown to be important for oligomer formation and insertion into the membrane. Binding competition experiments showed that Cry2Ab toxin does not share binding sites with Cry1Ab toxin in M. sexta brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV). Also, that Cry2Ab shows reduced binding to the Cry1Ab binding molecules cadherin, APN1 or ALP. Finally, ligand blot experiments and protein sequence by LC-MS/MS identified APN2 isoform as a Cry2Ab binding protein. Cloning and expression of APN2 confirmed that APN2 is a Cry2Ab binding protein.

Assuntos

Proteínas de Bactérias/química , Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Antígenos CD13/química , Endotoxinas/metabolismo , Proteínas Hemolisinas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Insetos/química , Manduca/enzimologia , Receptores de Superfície Celular/química , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis , Proteínas de Bactérias/isolamento & purificação , Sítios de Ligação , Antígenos CD13/isolamento & purificação , Antígenos CD13/metabolismo , Endotoxinas/química , Proteínas Hemolisinas/química , Proteínas de Insetos/isolamento & purificação , Proteínas de Insetos/metabolismo , Resistência a Inseticidas , Isoenzimas/química , Isoenzimas/isolamento & purificação , Isoenzimas/metabolismo , Ligantes , Manduca/genética , Receptores de Superfície Celular/isolamento & purificação , Receptores de Superfície Celular/metabolismo

RESUMO

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria produce Cry toxins that are able to kill insect pests. Different models explaining the mode of action of these toxins have been proposed. The pore formation model proposes that the toxin creates pores in the membrane of the larval midgut cells after interaction with different receptors such as cadherin, aminopeptidase N and alkaline phosphatase and that this pore formation activity is responsible for the toxicity of these proteins. The alternative model proposes that interaction with cadherin receptor triggers an intracellular cascade response involving protein G, adenylate cyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA). In addition, it was shown that Cry toxins induce a defense response in the larvae involving the activation of mitogen-activated kinases such as MAPK p38 in different insect orders. Here we analyzed the mechanism of action of Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac toxins and a collection of mutants from these toxins in the insect cell line CF1 from Choristoneura fumiferana, that is naturally sensitive to these toxins. Our results show that both toxins induced permeability of K+ ions into the cells. The initial response after intoxication with Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac toxins involves the activation of a defense response that involves the phosphorylation of MAPK p38. Analysis of activation of PKA and AC activities indicated that the signal transduction involving PKA, AC and cAMP was not activated during Cry1Ab or Cry1Ac intoxication. In contrast we show that Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac activate apoptosis. These data indicate that Cry toxins can induce an apoptotic death response not related with AC/PKA activation. Since Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac toxins affected K+ ion permeability into the cells, and that mutant toxins affected in pore formation are not toxic to CF1, we propose that pore formation activity of the toxins is responsible of triggering cell death response in CF1cells.

Assuntos

Adenilil Ciclases/genética , Proteínas de Bactérias/toxicidade , Proteínas Quinases Dependentes de AMP Cíclico/genética , Endotoxinas/toxicidade , Proteínas Hemolisinas/toxicidade , Proteínas de Insetos/genética , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases , Mariposas/efeitos dos fármacos , Transdução de Sinais , Adenilil Ciclases/metabolismo , Animais , Bacillus thuringiensis , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis , Linhagem Celular , Proteínas Quinases Dependentes de AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Proteínas de Insetos/metabolismo , Larva/efeitos dos fármacos , Larva/genética , Larva/microbiologia , Mariposas/genética , Mariposas/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Mariposas/microbiologia

RESUMO

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been widely used in foliar sprays as part of integrated pest management strategies against insect pests of agricultural crops. Since the advent of genetically modified plants expressing Bt δ-endotoxins, the bioavailability of Cry proteins has increased, and therefore for biosafety reasons their adverse effects should be studied, mainly for nontarget organisms. We evaluated, in Swiss mice, the hematotoxicity and genotoxicity of the genetically modified strains of Bt spore crystals Cry1Aa, 1Ab, 1Ac, or 2Aa at 27 mg/kg, and Cry1Aa, 1Ab and 2Aa also at 136 and 270 mg/kg, administered with a single intraperitoneal injection 24 h before euthanasia. Controls received filtered water or cyclophosphamide. Blood samples collected by cardiac puncture were used to perform hemogram, and bone marrow was extracted for the micronucleus test. Bt spore crystals presented toxicity for lymphocytes when in higher doses, which varied according to the type of spore crystal studied, besides promoting cytotoxic and genotoxic effects for the erythroid lineage of bone marrow, mainly at highest doses. Although the profile of such adverse side effects can be related to their high level of exposure, which is not commonly found in the environment, results indicated that these Bt spore crystals were not harmless to mice. This suggests that a more specific approach should be taken to increase knowledge about their toxicological properties and to establish the toxicological risks to nontarget organisms. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 970-978, 2016.

Assuntos

Proteínas de Bactérias/toxicidade , Endotoxinas/toxicidade , Proteínas Hemolisinas/toxicidade , Inseticidas/toxicidade , Animais , Bacillus thuringiensis/química , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis , Dano ao DNA , Feminino , Contagem de Linfócitos , Masculino , Camundongos , Testes para Micronúcleos , Contagem de Plaquetas , Esporos/química

RESUMO

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces insecticidal proteins that have been used worldwide in the control of insect-pests in crops and vectors of human diseases. However, different insect species are poorly controlled by the available Bt toxins or have evolved resistance to these toxins. Evolution of Bt toxicity could provide novel toxins to control insect pests. To this aim, efficient display systems to select toxins with increased binding to insect membranes or midgut proteins involved in toxicity are likely to be helpful. Here we describe two display systems, phage display and ribosome display, that allow the efficient display of two non-structurally related Bt toxins, Cry1Ac and Cyt1Aa. Improved display of Cry1Ac and Cyt1Aa on M13 phages was achieved by changing the commonly used peptide leader sequence of the coat pIII-fusion protein, that relies on the Sec translocation pathway, for a peptide leader sequence that relies on the signal recognition particle pathway (SRP) and by using a modified M13 helper phage (Phaberge) that has an amber mutation in its pIII genomic sequence and preferentially assembles using the pIII-fusion protein. Also, both Cry1Ac and Cyt1Aa were efficiently displayed on ribosomes, which could allow the construction of large libraries of variants. Furthermore, Cry1Ac or Cyt1Aa displayed on M13 phages or ribosomes were specifically selected from a mixture of both toxins depending on which antigen was immobilized for binding selection. These improved systems may allow the selection of Cry toxin variants with improved insecticidal activities that could counter insect resistances.

RESUMO

To exert their toxic effect, Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab toxin undergoes a sequential binding mechanism with different larval gut proteins including glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol anchored proteins like aminopeptidase-N (APN) or alkaline-phosphatase (ALP) and a transmembrane cadherin to form pre-pore structures that insert into the membrane. Cadherin binding induces oligomerization of the toxin by facilitating removal of the N-terminal region, while APN/ALP binding helps in oligomer membrane insertion. Cry1AbMod toxin was engineered to lack N-terminal region of the toxin and shown to counter resistance linked to cadherin mutations. In this manuscript we determined the toxicity of Cry1AbMod to Manduca sexta larvae silenced in the expression of cadherin, ALP or APN receptors. As previously reported Cry1Ab toxicity relied principally in ALP and cadherin in comparison to APN. Our data shows that Cry1AbMod counters resistance associated with low cadherin expression but was not effective against ALP silenced larvae. These results show that Cry1AbMod could be effective against resistance insects linked to mutations on binding molecules involved in toxin oligomerization but not against resistant insects linked to mutations on binding molecules involved in oligomer membrane insertion.

Assuntos

Bacillus thuringiensis/fisiologia , Proteínas de Bactérias/imunologia , Caderinas/metabolismo , Endotoxinas/imunologia , Proteínas Hemolisinas/imunologia , Proteínas de Insetos/metabolismo , Manduca/microbiologia , Fosfatase Alcalina/genética , Fosfatase Alcalina/metabolismo , Aminopeptidases/genética , Aminopeptidases/metabolismo , Animais , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis , Caderinas/genética , Expressão Gênica , Técnicas de Silenciamento de Genes , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno , Proteínas de Insetos/genética , Larva/imunologia , Larva/metabolismo , Larva/microbiologia , Manduca/imunologia , Manduca/metabolismo

RESUMO

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) is increasingly used worldwide for mosquito control and is the only larvicide used in the French Rhône-Alpes region since decades. The artificial selection of mosquitoes with field-persistent Bti collected in breeding sites from this region led to a moderate level of resistance to Bti, but to relatively high levels of resistance to individual Bti Cry toxins. Based on this observation, we developed a bioassay procedure using each Bti Cry toxin separately to detect cryptic Bti-resistance evolving in field mosquito populations. Although no resistance to Bti was detected in none of the three mosquito species tested (Aedes rusticus, Aedes sticticus and Aedes vexans), an increased tolerance to Cry4Aa (3.5-fold) and Cry11Aa toxins (8-fold) was found in one Ae. sticticus population compared to other populations of the same species, suggesting that resistance to Bti may be arising in this population. This study confirms previous works showing a lack of Bti resistance in field mosquito populations treated for decades with this bioinsecticide. It also provides a first panorama of their susceptibility status to individual Bti Cry toxins. In combination with bioassays with Bti, bioassays with separate Cry toxins allow a more sensitive monitoring of Bti-resistance in the field.

Assuntos

Animais , Aedes/efeitos dos fármacos , Agentes de Controle Biológico , Bacillus thuringiensis/química , Proteínas de Bactérias/farmacologia , Endotoxinas/farmacologia , Proteínas Hemolisinas/farmacologia , Bioensaio , Proteínas de Bactérias/isolamento & purificação , Endotoxinas/isolamento & purificação , Proteínas Hemolisinas/isolamento & purificação , Resistência a Inseticidas , Controle de Mosquitos/métodos

RESUMO

O ácaro rajado é uma das pragas mais importantes em culturas no Brasil. O uso do controle químico de forma descontrolada leva a sérias consequências, como a presença de resíduos em frutos e surgimento de populações resistentes. Faz-se necessário o uso de alternativas de manejo do ácaro, como o controle biológico, que vem sendo utilizado como ferramenta no manejo de di versas pragas de importância agrícola no mundo. Para a realização dos bioensaios, foram avaliadas 120 cepas de Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner quanto à patogenicidade para Tetranychus urticae Koch. Foram preparadas suspensões das diferentes cepas contendo 3 × 108 esporos viáveis/mL de água destilada, aplicadas em discos de folhas de feijão de porco (Canavalia ensiformes DC). Cada cepa constituiu-se em um tratamento, com 8 repetições, cada uma contendo 10 fêmeas adultas do ácaro. Os testes em condições de laboratório mostraram que a mortalidade foi significativa, variando de 6,7% (cepa LMJ7A) a 54,9% (cepas 1077B e 886F).

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The two-spotted spider mite is the most important pest to Brazilian crops. The incorrect use of chemical control leads to serious consequences, such as the presence of residues in fruits and the emergence of resistant populations. There is a need for alternative methods for managing the mite, such as biological control, which has been used as a tool in the management of various pests of agricultural importance in the world. Bioassays were carried out to analyze 120 strains of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner in regard to their pathogenicity to Tetranychus urticae Koch. Suspensions were prepared of the different strains, containing 3 × 108 spores/mL of distilled water, and applied on Jack-bean (Canavalia ensiformes DC) leaf disks. Each strain constituted a treatment, with 8 repetitions, each containing 10 adult Tetranychus urticae females. The tests in laboratory conditions showed that mortality was significantly, ranging from 6.7% (strains LMJ7A) to 54.9% (strains 1077B and 886f).

Assuntos

Bacillus thuringiensis/isolamento & purificação , Controle Biológico de Vetores , Pragas da Agricultura

RESUMO

ABSTRACT The two-spotted spider mite is the most important pest to Brazilian crops. The incorrect use of chemical control leads to serious consequences, such as the presence of residues in fruits and the emergence of resistant populations. There is a need for alternative methods for managing the mite, such as biological control, which has been used as a tool in the management of various pests of agricultural importance in the world. Bioassays were carried out to analyze 120 strains of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner in regard to their pathogenicity to Tetranychus urticae Koch. Suspensions were prepared of the different strains, containing 3 × 108 spores/mL of distilled water, and applied on Jack-bean (Canavalia ensiformes DC) leaf disks. Each strain constituted a treatment, with 8 repetitions, each containing 10 adult Tetranychus urticae females. The tests in laboratory conditions showed that mortality was significantly, ranging from 6.7% (strains LMJ7A) to 54.9% (strains 1077B and 886f).

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RESUMO O ácaro rajado é uma das pragas mais importantes em culturas no Brasil. O uso do controle químico de forma descontrolada leva a sérias consequências, como a presença de resíduos em frutos e surgimento de populações resistentes. Faz-se necessário o uso de alternativas de manejo do ácaro, como o controle biológico, que vem sendo utilizado como ferramenta no manejo de di versas pragas de importância agrícola no mundo. Para a realização dos bioensaios, foram avaliadas 120 cepas de Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner quanto à patogenicidade para Tetranychus urticae Koch. Foram preparadas suspensões das diferentes cepas contendo 3 × 108 esporos viáveis/mL de água destilada, aplicadas em discos de folhas de feijão de porco (Canavalia ensiformes DC). Cada cepa constituiu-se em um tratamento, com 8 repetições, cada uma contendo 10 fêmeas adultas do ácaro. Os testes em condições de laboratório mostraram que a mortalidade foi significativa, variando de 6,7% (cepa LMJ7A) a 54,9% (cepas 1077B e 886F).

RESUMO

Trichoplusia ni é uma praga polífaga importante em plantios de crucíferas, soja e algodão. O presente estudo objetivou selecionar e caracterizar por método molecular isolados de Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) com potencial para atuar com agentes de controle biológico de T. ni. Para os bioensaios de patogenicidade, uma alíquota com 3 x 108 esporos/mL de suspensão de Bt de cada isolado foi aplicada na superfície do disco de dieta artificial, previamente distribuída em placas de acrílico com 50 lagartas, distribuídas em 5 repetições. Nos bioensaios para a obtenção da CL50, apenas os isolados com 100% de mortalidade foram pré-selecionados, sendo testadas as seguintes concentrações: 102, 5 x 102, 103, 2 x 103, 4 x 103, 6 x 103, 8 x 103 esporos/mL, sendo os tratamentos compostos por 120 lagartas, distribuídas em 3 repetições. Foi feita caracterização molecular para detectar os genes cry1, cry2 e Vip para os isolados que obtiveram mortalidade acima de 95%. Os isolados HD-1 (Padrão), Bt-1043N-V, Bt-1034F, Bt-1009K, Bt-1000, Bt-969A causaram 100% de mortalidade nos testes de patogenicidade e CL50 de 1,17 x 103, 1,45 x 103, 1,46 x 103, 1,01 x 103, 9,43 x 102, 1,22 x 103, respectivamente. Não foram encontrados genes cry1, cry2 e Vip nos isolados testados, podendo outras toxinas Cry estar causando a mortalidade de T. ni, visto que os isolados testados são específicos para a ordem Lepidoptera. Estes isolados mostraram potencial para o controle de T. ni, sendo virulentos a este inseto, com potencial para serem utilizados em programa de manejo desta praga.

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Trichoplusia ni is a polyphagous pest that is becoming a major pest in plantations of cruciferous crops, soybeans and cotton. This study was aimed to select and molecularly characterize efficient isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for the control of T. ni. For the bioassays of pathogenicity, an aliquot with a 3 x 108 spores/mL suspension of Bt of each isolate was applied on the surface of the artificial diet disk, previously distributed on acrylic plates with 50 larvae, distributed in 5 repetitions. In bioassays to obtain the LC50, only isolates with 100% mortality were preselected, and tests were carried out at the concentrations 102, 5 x 102, 103, 2 x 103, 4 x 103, 6 x 103, and 8 x 103 spores/mL, and the treatments consisting of 120 larvae, distributed in 3 repetitions. A molecular characterization was performed to detect the genes cry1, cry2 and Vip for the isolates which obtained mortality over 95%. Isolates HD-1 (Standard), Bt-1043N-V, Bt-1034F, Bt-1009K, Bt-1000 and Bt-969A caused 100% mortality in the test for pathogenicity and presented an LC50 of 1.17 x 103, 1.45 x 103, 1, 46 x 103, 1.01 x 103, 9.43 x 102, 1.22 x 103, respectively. Genes cry1, cry2 and Vip were not found in the isolates tested, and other Cry toxins may have been causing the mortality of T. ni, since the isolates tested are specific for the Lepidoptera order. These isolates showed potential for the control of T. ni, being aggressive to this insect, with a potential to be used in a pest management program for this species.

Assuntos

Bacillus thuringiensis/ultraestrutura , Controle Biológico de Vetores , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis/análise , Lepidópteros

RESUMO

ABSTRACT Trichoplusia ni is a polyphagous pest that is becoming a major pest in plantations of cruciferous crops, soybeans and cotton. This study was aimed to select and molecularly characterize efficient isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for the control of T. ni. For the bioassays of pathogenicity, an aliquot with a 3 x 108 spores/mL suspension of Bt of each isolate was applied on the surface of the artificial diet disk, previously distributed on acrylic plates with 50 larvae, distributed in 5 repetitions. In bioassays to obtain the LC50, only isolates with 100% mortality were preselected, and tests were carried out at the concentrations 102, 5 x 102, 103, 2 x 103, 4 x 103, 6 x 103, and 8 x 103 spores/mL, and the treatments consisting of 120 larvae, distributed in 3 repetitions. A molecular characterization was performed to detect the genes cry1, cry2 and Vip for the isolates which obtained mortality over 95%. Isolates HD-1 (Standard), Bt-1043N-V, Bt-1034F, Bt-1009K, Bt-1000 and Bt-969A caused 100% mortality in the test for pathogenicity and presented an LC50 of 1.17 x 103, 1.45 x 103, 1, 46 x 103, 1.01 x 103, 9.43 x 102, 1.22 x 103, respectively. Genes cry1, cry2 and Vip were not found in the isolates tested, and other Cry toxins may have been causing the mortality of T. ni, since the isolates tested are specific for the Lepidoptera order. These isolates showed potential for the control of T. ni, being aggressive to this insect, with a potential to be used in a pest management program for this species.

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RESUMO Trichoplusia ni é uma praga polífaga importante em plantios de crucíferas, soja e algodão. O presente estudo objetivou selecionar e caracterizar por método molecular isolados de Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) com potencial para atuar com agentes de controle biológico de T. ni. Para os bioensaios de patogenicidade, uma alíquota com 3 x 108 esporos/mL de suspensão de Bt de cada isolado foi aplicada na superfície do disco de dieta artificial, previamente distribuída em placas de acrílico com 50 lagartas, distribuídas em 5 repetições. Nos bioensaios para a obtenção da CL50, apenas os isolados com 100% de mortalidade foram pré-selecionados, sendo testadas as seguintes concentrações: 102, 5 x 102, 103, 2 x 103, 4 x 103, 6 x 103, 8 x 103 esporos/mL, sendo os tratamentos compostos por 120 lagartas, distribuídas em 3 repetições. Foi feita caracterização molecular para detectar os genes cry1, cry2 e Vip para os isolados que obtiveram mortalidade acima de 95%. Os isolados HD-1 (Padrão), Bt-1043N-V, Bt-1034F, Bt-1009K, Bt-1000, Bt-969A causaram 100% de mortalidade nos testes de patogenicidade e CL50 de 1,17 x 103, 1,45 x 103, 1,46 x 103, 1,01 x 103, 9,43 x 102, 1,22 x 103, respectivamente. Não foram encontrados genes cry1, cry2 e Vip nos isolados testados, podendo outras toxinas Cry estar causando a mortalidade de T. ni, visto que os isolados testados são específicos para a ordem Lepidoptera. Estes isolados mostraram potencial para o controle de T. ni, sendo virulentos a este inseto, com potencial para serem utilizados em programa de manejo desta praga.