• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.133-140
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• 2012

A novel cry2Ab gene was cloned and sequenced from the indigenous isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki. This gene was designated as cry2Ab25 and its sequence revealed an open reading frame of 1,902 bp encoding a 633 aa protein with calculated molecular mass of 70 kDa and pI value of 8.98. The amino acid sequence of the Cry2Ab25 protein was compared with previously known Cry2Ab toxins, and the phylogenetic relationships among them were determined. The deduced amino acid sequence of the Cry2Ab25 protein showed 99% homology to the known Cry2Ab proteins, except for Cry2Ab10 and Cry2Ab12 with 97% homology, and a variation in one amino acid residue in comparison with all known Cry2Ab proteins. The cry2Ab25 gene was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed that the Cry2Ab25 protein is about 70 kDa. The toxin expressed in BL21(DE3) exhibited high toxicity against Malacosoma neustria and Rhagoletis cerasi with 73% and 75% mortality after 5 days of treatment, respectively.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.788-792
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• 2012

We report the computational structural simulation of the Cry1Ab19 toxin molecule from B. thuringiensis BtX-2 based on the structure of Cry1Aa1 deduced by x-ray diffraction. Validation results showed that 93.5% of modeled residues are folded in a favorable orientation with a total energy Z-score of -8.32, and the constructed model has an RMSD of only $1.13{\AA}$. The major differences in the presented model are longer loop lengths and shortened sheet components. The overall result supports the hierarchical three-domain structural hypothesis of Cry toxins and will help in better understanding the structural variation within the Cry toxin family along with facilitating the design of domain-swapping experiments aimed at improving the toxicity of native toxins.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.729-735
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• 2012

The PCR-RFLP method has been useful for detection of known genes and identification of novel genes. In the present study, degenerate primers were designed from five groups of cry1 genes for PCR-RFLP analysis. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) isolates from different regions were evaluated for PCR amplification of various cry1 genes using newly designed primers and cry2 genes using reported primers. PCR analysis showed an abundance of cry1A genes and especially cry1Ac genes in isolates from all regions. RFLP analysis revealed the presence of multiple cry1A genes in isolates from central and southern regions. Unique digestion patterns of cry1A genes were observed in isolates from each region. Few of the isolates represented a digestion pattern of cry1A genes that did match to any of the known cry1A genes. RFLP analysis suggested an abundance of cry2Ab along with a novel cry2 gene in Bt isolates from different regions of India. Sequence analysis of the novel cry2 gene revealed 95% sequence identity to cry2Ab and cry2Ah genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the novel cry2 gene could have diverged earlier than the other cry2 genes. Our results encourage finding of more diverse cry2 genes in Bt isolates. Rarefaction analysis was used to compare cry1A gene diversity in isolates from different soil types. It showed a higher degree of cry1A gene diversity in isolates from central region. In the present study, we propose the use of novel degenerate primers for cry1 genes and the PCR-RFLP method using a single enzyme to distinguish multiple cry1A and cry2 genes as well as identify novel genes.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.154-158
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• 2005

Twenty-three Bacillus thuringiensis strains isolated from Korea were screened to detect the cry-type genes using PCR with 21 specific oligonucleotide primers. Eight strains contained distinct multiple crystal genes; cry1Aa2, cry1Ab1, cry1Ac1 and cry2Aa1. These results indicate that the strains coincided with the B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strain. The other 15 strains were not recognised to the 21 specific primers.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.509-517
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• 2009

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai CAB109 isolated in Korea is known active against Spodoptera sp.. Especially, B. thuringiensis aizawai CAB109 isolates showed 100% mortality against Spodoptera litura and Spodoptera exigua. To screen highly active B. thuringiensis, the pathogenicity of B. thuringiensis CAB109 was compared with that of commercialized B. thuringiensis products. $LC_{50}$ values of CAB109, product TB-WP and product SC strains of B. thuringiensis were $1.3{\times}10^5$, $2.3{\times}10^6$ and $5.2{\times}10^5\;cfu/ml$ against the 2nd larva of S. litura and $1.8{\times}10^4$, $1.3{\times}10^6$ and $1.5{\times}10^6\;cfu/ml$ against the 2nd larva S. exigua, respectively. To determine new gene's existence and absence, the plasmid DNA was extracted, and compared to that of B.t. aizawai HD-133. Both B. thuringiensis were not like plasmid DNA pattern. PCR technique was used to predict both plasmid DNA's cry gene. PCR products analysis showed that B.t. CAB109 harbor Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1C and Cry1D and B.t. HD-133 has Cry1Aa and Cry1Ab, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.166-176
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• 2011

Bacillus thuringiensis CAB530 was isolated from dead Anomata albopilosa (Rutelidae: Coleoptera) and soil of green tea field, and confirmed its insecticidal activities. CAB530 isolate showed a high insecticidal activity against the beet armyworm among the many lepidopteran insects that are difficult to control. $LC_{50}$ value of CAB530 isolate against the second larva of Spodoptera exigua was $1.49{times}10^4$ spore concentration (cfu/$m{\ell}$). SDS-PAGE result of insecticidal toxin protein of CAB530 isolate showed a band at 130 kDa that is similar pattern with B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki that took insecticidal activity against S. exigua. Otherwise, the crystal protein of the CAB530 isolate was conformed at 65 kDa level after 30 minute of incubation in S. exigua midgut juice. Six crystal genes (cry1Aa, cry1Ab, cry1C, cry1D, cry1F and cry1I) were identified by PCR. It different from genes of B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki. Crystal shape and pattern of toxin protein was similar with B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, however, insecticidal activity and PCR result of CAB530 isolate was similar with B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.446-455
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• 2010

The characteristics of parasporal inclusion body from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki KB099 isolate which is high bioactive to the tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura, were examined. Parasporal inclusion of B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki KB099 isolate showed only 1 band at 130 kDa compared with B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-l isolate producing 2 protein bands at 130 kDa and 60 kDa from by SDS-PAGE analysis without any enzyme treatment. Also, we confirmed that gut extract of sensitive S. litura KB099 isolate had digested only 60 kDa ${\delta}$-endotoxin protein. When the digestive enzyme of sensitive insect responsible for parasporal inclusion from KB099 and HD-l isolate was treated to each of them, protein band 60 KDa of KB099 was maintained up to 12 hours but all bands of HD-l were disappeared within 6 hours. In KB099 isolate, 6 genes (Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1C, Cry1D and Cry1I) were identified by PCR analysis. Also, $Cry^-$ mutant of KB099 isolate was investigated by phase- contrast microscope, SDS-PAGE and PCR.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.535-537
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• 2023

We report the draft genome sequence of Bacillus thuringiensis serovar aizawai AS23, an insecticidal strain targeting lepidopteran pests, which was isolated from the rhizosphere of Korean melon (Cucumis melo L.). The genome of strain AS23 comprising 6,846,584 bp with a G + C content of 34.83% was assembled to 11 contigs obtained using hybrid assembly. Additionally, we mined the genome for pesticidal genes, identifying several insecticidal genes, including Cry1Aa3, Cry1Ca9, Cry1Da2, Cry1Ia44, Cry2Ab41, Cry9Ea9, Spp1Aa1, and Vip3Aa86.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1099-1106
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• 2013

Tuta absoluta (Povolny, 1994) is a devastating moth to the Solanaceae plants. It is a challenging pest to control, especially on tomatoes. In this work, we studied the entomopathogenic activity of the Cry-forming ${\delta}$-endotoxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis strain KS and B. thuringiensis kurstaki reference strain HD1 against T. absoluta. These strains carried the cry2, cry1Ab, cry1Aa/cry1Ac, and cry1I genes, and KS also carried a cry1C gene. The ${\delta}$-endotoxins of KS were approximately twofold more toxic against the third instar larvae than those of HD1, as they showed lower 50% and 90% lethal concentrations (0.80 and 2.70 ${\mu}g/cm^2$ (${\delta}$-endotoxins/tomato leaf)) compared with those of HD1 (1.70 and 4.50 ${\mu}g/cm^2$) (p < 0.05). Additionally, the larvae protease extract showed at least six caseinolytic activities, which activated the KS and HD1 ${\delta}$-endotoxins, yielding the active toxins of about 65 kDa and the protease-resistant core of about 58 kDa. Moreover, the histopathological effects of KS and HD1 ${\delta}$-endotoxins on the larvae midgut consisted of an apical columnar cell vacuolization, microvillus damage, and epithelial cell disruption. These results showed that the KS strain could be a candidate for T. absoluta control.