Regulation of toxin and virulence gene transcription in Bacillus thuringiensis.
Bacillus thuringiensis is a spore-forming bacterium well known for its insecticidal properties and its ability to produce a crystal inclusion during sporulation. The specific activity of B. thuringiensis against insect larvae is due to the crystal proteins (Cry proteins). Two different transcriptional mechanisms (dependent and independent of sporulation) are responsible for cry gene transcription during the stationary phase. In addition to these specific insecticidal toxins, B. thuringiensis produces potential virulence factors including haemolysins, degradative enzymes and enterotoxins. A pleiotropic regulator (PlcR) that activates the transcription of various genes encoding such extracellular proteins has been identified. Its expression at the onset of the stationary phase is dependent on the growth medium and is controlled by the transition state regulator, SpoOA.
Lereclus
D
D
Unité de Biochimie Microbienne, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique URA 2172, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France. lereclus@pasteur.fr
Agaisse
H
H
Grandvalet
C
C
Salamitou
S
S
Gominet
M
M
D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D001483:Base Sequence; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000235:genetics*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics
D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004731:Endotoxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; C099480:PlcR protein, Bacillus; D015534:Trans-Activators; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis