Resistance is non-futile: resistance to Cry5B in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
The nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, can be mutated to resistance to the Cry5B toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis. By cloning and characterization of these C. elegans resistance genes, we have determined that a major mechanism by which C. elegans resists Cry5B is by loss of function mutations in any one of four gylcosyltransferase genes that glycosylate glycolipids specific to arthropods. Without correct gylcosylation, binding of Cry5B is greatly impaired in C. elegans. That these specific arthroseries glycolipids do not occur in vertebrates potentially helps explain why Cry toxins are specific for arthropods.
Barrows
Brad D
BD
Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0349, USA.
Griffitts
Joel S
JS
Aroian
Raffi V
RV
D000818:Animals; D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000382:microbiology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002999:Clone Cells; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006031:Glycosylation; D016695:Glycosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007305:Insecticide Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D010572:Pest Control, Biological
D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D004731:Endotoxins; D006017:Glycolipids; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis; D016695:Glycosyltransferases