Current Microbiology (2004) 48, 1-9

Sandra L. Brandt, Thomas A. Coudron, Javad Habibi, Gregory R. Brown, Oliver M. Ilagan, Renee M. Wagner, Maureen K. Wright, Elaine A. Backus and Joseph E. Huesing (2004)
Interaction of two Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxins with the digestive system of Lygus hesperus
Current Microbiology 48 (1), 1-9
Abstract: The active-toxin form of Cry1Ac (65 kDa) or Cry2Ab was fed to a non-susceptible insect, Lygus hesperus, in an artificial diet. Biochemical and immunocytochemical methods were used to determine the distribution of ingested toxin. The toxins did not elicit a feeding deterrent response. Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab were ingested; small amounts were absorbed into the hemolymph as holoproteins, but most was excreted. SDS-PAGE analysis of Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab incubations with salivary gland homogenate showed a small decrease in the molecular weight of the active toxins. Proteolytic processing of the toxins also occurred in vivo, within the digestive system of L. hesperus. Excreted Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab retained activity toward lepidopteran larvae. Immunocytochemical in vivo localization studies showed negligible association of Cry1Ac with L. hesperus tissues. In contrast, strong extracellular association of Cry2Ab was observed with L. hesperus midgut brush border microvilli and basement membrane, as well as with cellular outlines within the hemolymph and fat body.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Elaine A. Backus, Joseph E. Huesing

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1A-toxin (entomopathogen)
Bacillus thuringiensis Cry2A-toxin (entomopathogen)