A Bacillus thuringiensis Chitin-Binding Protein is Involved in Insect Peritrophic Matrix Adhesion and Takes Part in the Infection Process.

ABSTRACT: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is used for insect pest control, and its larvicidal activity is primarily attributed to Cry toxins. Other factors participate in infection, and limited information is available regarding factors acting on the peritrophic matrix (PM). This study aimed to investigate the role of a Bt chitin-binding protein (CBPA) that had been previously shown to be expressed at pH 9 in vitro and could therefore be expressed in the alkaline gut of lepidopteron larvae. A ∆cbpA mutant was generated that was 10-fold less virulent than wild-type Bt HD73 towards Ostrinia furnacalis neonate larvae, indicating its important role in infection. Purified recombinant Escherichia coli CBPA was shown to have a chitin affinity, thus indicating a possible interaction with the chitin-rich PM. A t

SUBMITTER: Qin J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7232397 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature