Whole-Genome Analysis of Bacillus thuringiensis Revealing Partial Genes as a Source of Novel Cry Toxins

Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Muhammad SajidMing Sun

Abstract

Despite the successful application of crystal proteins (Cry) from Bacillus thuringiensis as biological control agents against insects, there is an increasing demand to identify new Cry toxins having higher toxicity and broad-spectrum activity against insects and plant-parasitic nematodes. To find novel Cry toxins, we screened 100 whole-genome sequences of B. thuringiensis Surprisingly, in addition to full Cry toxins, we found partial sequences, such as typical N-terminal or C-terminal regions with conserved domains, widely distributed among 20 strains of B. thuringiensis In order to further elucidate the functions of partial genes, here, we selected a partial sequence from strain C15, having 28% similarity with the N terminus of Cry5Ba and lacking a typical C terminus, and denoted it Cry5B-like N terminus. This fragment when coexpressed as a fusion protein with the C terminus of Cry5Ba (N-C fusion protein) produces pyramidal crystals. A recombinant N-C fusion protein having a 50% lethal concentration (LC50) of 23.7 μg/ml severely affected the life span, growth, and survival rate of nematodes. Light microscopy showed damage to the intestine of nematodes, confirming the pathogenicity of the N-C fusion protein. Last, the green flu...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 9, 2019·Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology·Qi PengFuping Song
Dec 15, 2020·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·Nancy FayadMireille Kallassy Awad
Oct 15, 2020·Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista Brasleira De Biologia·M R A Vieira-NetaV C S Pinheiro

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