Ubiquity of parasporin-1 producers in Bacillus thuringiensis natural populations of Japan.
Parasporin, a Bacillus thuringiensis parasporal protein, is unique in having a strong cytocidal activity preferential for human cancer cells. In this study, we characterized parasporin activities associated with three novel geographical isolates of B. thuringiensis. Parasporal inclusion proteins of the three isolates were highly toxic to human uterus cervix cancer cells (HeLa), but not to non-cancer uterine smooth muscle cells (UtSMC). Inclusions of the isolates lacked insect toxicity and hemolytic activity against sheep erythrocytes. Ouchterlony immunodiffusion tests revealed that the proteins of the three isolates are immunologically closely related to parasporin-1 (Cry31A), but dissimilar to the three other existing parasporin groups. Our results provide evidence that the parasporin-1-producing organism is a common member in B. thuringiensis populations occurring in natural environments of Japan.
Uemori
Akiko
A
Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8581, Japan.
Maeda
Minoru
M
Yasutake
Koichi
K
Ohgushi
Akira
A
Kagoshima
Kumiko
K
Mizuki
Eiichi
E
Ohba
Michio
M
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D006367:HeLa Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004731:Endotoxins; C412914:parasporin