The construction of Bacillus thuringiensis strains expressing novel entomocidal delta-endotoxin combinations.
Using our recently reported method of electroporation to transform Bacillus thuringiensis [Bone & Ellar (1989) FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 58, 171-178], cloned B. thuringiensis entomocidal delta-endotoxin genes have been introduced into several native B. thuringiensis strains. In many cases the resulting transformants expressed both their native toxins and the cloned toxin, producing strains with broader toxicity spectra. The introduction of the var. tenebrionis toxin gene into B. thuringiensis var. israelensis resulted in a strain with activity against Pieris brassicae (cabbage white butterfly), an activity which neither parent strain possesses. We discuss further the possibility of synergism and also the problems associated with introducing cloned DNA by this method.
Crickmore
N
N
Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, U.K.
Nicholls
C
C
Earp
D J
DJ
Hodgman
T C
TC
Ellar
D J
DJ
D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000633:toxicity; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D007306:Insecticides; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014170:Transformation, Genetic
D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004731:Endotoxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D007306:Insecticides; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis