Susceptible and mCry3A resistant corn rootworm larvae killed by a non-hemolytic Bacillus thuringiensis Cyt1Aa mutant.

ABSTRACT: The western corn rootworm (WCR) Diabrotica virgifera virgifera causes substantial damage in corn. Genetically modified (GM) plants expressing some Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal Cry proteins efficiently controlled this pest. However, changes in WCR susceptibility to these Bt traits have evolved and identification of insecticidal proteins with different modes of action against WCR is necessary. We show here for the first time that Cyt1Aa from Bt exhibits toxicity against WCR besides to the dipteran Aedes aegypti larvae. Cyt1Aa is a pore-forming toxin that shows no cross-resistance with mosquitocidal Cry toxins. We characterized different mutations in helix α-A from Cyt1Aa. Two mutants (A61C and A59C) exhibited reduced or absent hemolytic activity but retained toxicity to A. aegypt

SUBMITTER: Bravo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6292897 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature